To enhance training for fire and arson investigators, the National Fire Academy has created “crossover” opportunities in its fire prevention curriculum.

Effective immediately, qualified fire investigators are eligible to attend the two-week “Principles of Fire Protection: Structures and Systems” course at the academy's Emmitsburg, Md., campus.

“This is a great opportunity for students in the arson investigation learning track to see first-hand how fire protection systems and building construction affect fire behavior and outcomes,” said Doug Williams, arson investigation curriculum training specialist.

Topics addressed in this course include understanding the legal environment; plans review; identifying and using resources; dealing with the public, industry and other agencies; conducting inspections; and the testing, inspection, and maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment.

Historically, only students in the inspection and plan review fields could attend this class that explains the inspection and testing requirements for sprinklers, fire pumps, standpipes, fire alarms and specialty systems.

This change comes after the arson investigation course “Fire Dynamics and Fire Modeling” recently was opened to students who had completed the entire Fire Prevention: Technical curriculum.

Rather than creating separate and redundant courses within each curricula, NFA training specialists agreed to open slots in both areas for students who want this specialized training.

Students who have completed “Evaluating Performance-Based Designs,” the fourth in a series of resident fire protection classes, are eligible to attend “Fire Dynamics and Fire Modeling,” where they get enhanced education in fire behavior and learn how to create and assess mathematical fire models.

For more details, see registration information www.usfa.fema.gov/training/nfa.
— Robert A. Neale
Training Specialist
Fire Prevention: Technical
National Fire Academy