Washington Chapter News

From the President:

First I would like to thank all of those who made the Annual Meeting in Leavenworth this May. Being elected President with three new board members should make this a challenging year for me. I’m looking forward to serving you.

It was another great conference in Leavenworth this spring. Some attendees got a real ‘bang’ out of the training, while others saw some ‘shocking’ stuff and yet some others had the opportunity to take lots of photos of the scenic area. The conference seemed to have a good mix of instruction with great training for either a beginning investigator or an experienced investigator.

This years Basic Fire Investigation class was the largest class. A month prior to the conference there were about 25 people on the waitlist for the class. Working with the fire department in Leavenworth, we increased the class size to 65 students to accommodate the entire waitlist. This class had several students from out of the state. Observing the class, it did not appear that they were in Leavenworth for a vacation. I know that more people wanted to attend the Basic, but did not apply when they found out that it was full.

The Electrical class was also well attended. Between the students and the displays brought in by the good folks at MDE, this classroom was also filled to capacity. While the Photography class was in the smallest room, it developed into a great training session. The Explosives class was led by some dynamic instructors from the ATF. These fast talking southern boys kept everyone attentive. Their live demonstration gave the class a chance to see what can be done with just a little bit of explosives. The training also brought out how terrorists aren’t of just Middle Eastern descent. They also drove home the point that we as first responders are being targeted with the use of secondary devices.

With almost all the classes at capacity it appears to me that we need more training opportunities, especially the basic class. For the most current information on upcoming training keep checking our website.

Sincerely yours,

Norman Loftin, President IAAI Washington Chapter

From the Past President:

Once again the Washington State Chapter of IAAI has co-hosted a very successful conference. The instruction was top notch, the people attending the conference were earnest in their desire to learn more about our trade, the barbeque was awesome (great food and great people) and the weather was very nice. We feel lucky to be able to hold the conference at the Icicle Inn. The Inn has been very supportive of what we need and it is a very nice hotel. The Leavenworth Fire Department has bent over backwards to provide the barbeque, letting us host the basic class at the firehall and giving us a place to have burn cells.

Our co-hosting with Northwest Fire Investigators has proven to be a great partnership. The Boards of both organizations work hard to put on the best possible training. By joining forces we are stronger than either group on it's own. We plan on continuing the conference under both Boards into the future. We have committed to having the Conference at the Icicle Inn through 2010.

As President of the Washington Chapter of IAAI, this year was my last conference. Norm Loftin will take over this year and he has shown that he is a true leader. I would like to thank the entire Board of the Washington State Chapter of IAAI for their support and hard work during my term. Two years went very fast and I have enjoyed working with the IAAI Board, NW Fire Investigators and all our members.

I look forward to next year and the new ideas and energy that new leadership brings.

See you in Leavenworth! Dan Cain

Proposed change in the terms of office

A change to the terms of office was suggested during the Chapter’s Annual Meeting on May 14, 2007. The Officers’ terms currently start on the 1st of July and end on the 30th of June of the next summer. The suggestion was made that the term of office should start at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting and run to the next year’s elections. This will eliminate the lag between the elections and taking of office. The duration of terms will remain the same; President, 1st Vice-President, and 2nd Vice-President: 1year; Secretary/Treasurer: 3 years; and Directors: 2 years. Since this will constitute a change of the Bylaws of the Chapter, a vote will be taken during the Annual Meeting 2008.

Meet the new Board Members:

Jason Napier - As one of the newest members to the Chapter and the Board I would like to take a moment and introduce myself. I have been in the fire service for nearly 20 years and I am employed with the Kent Fire Department, currently assigned as a Deputy Fire Marshal for the last 7+ years. I have a great family to include my wife, Marsi and our son and daughter. My educational achievements include, Associate Degrees in Fire Science and Fire Command/Administration, ICC Certified Fire Code Official, and NICET Fire Alarm Certified Engineering Technician. I am driven to excel technically in my field and then share it with my peers through college level instruction, hands-on topic specific classes, and seminars (academies) with great success. This allows me to meet my personal goals while supporting the goals of the organization that I serve. I look forward to assisting all of the membership to meet your technical knowledge and skill needs.

Mike Lee - Joined the Auburn Fire Department in 1979, almost 28 years ago. Became actively involved with fire investigation in 1983/84, about 23 years ago. Joined WA State Chapter of IAAI in late 1980s and the International in the late 1990s. Served several years on the WA State Region 4 Fire Investigation Executive Council Board. I am currently an IAAI CFI and a WA State/IFSAC CFI.

Bill Hewett - Bill has been involved in the fire service for 17 years, starting as a volunteer in Whatcom County. He completed his degree in Fire Protection from Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Or and has been working for the Whatcom County Fire Marshal's Office since 2001, doing fire investigation and code enforcement. Bill currently lives in the Ferndale area and is married (wife Stephanie) and they are expecting their first baby (a girl) in mid August.

Message from Randy Fehr:

The Vendor Show at the joint IAAI-NWFI conference was a success this year. Those who attended the vendor show had an opportunity to speak with representatives from companies who offer various services and equipment that help us do our jobs. It also provided an opportunity to socialize and network with other fire investigators from across Washington State. We also tried our luck in the raffle drawing that coincided with the vendor show. A special thanks should go out to Brian Morris of Seawestern, Jeff Moser of the Knox Company and Judith Culetta of Bellevue Community College.These vendors donated the food for the event as well as a lot of the items that were given away raffle drawing.
Randy Fehr