FYI: REPOST FROM EMAIL RECEIVED.
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Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 9:29:51 PM
Subject: Msg. from Rodney Pevytoe re: Georgia (USA) 921 resolution

Dear IAAI Chapter Presidents:
Recently, the Georgia (USA) Chapter of the IAAI conducted their annual seminar. At their chapter meeting, they passed a resolution with respect to their chapter’s opinion on the use and content of the 2011 Edition of NFPA 921. While the resolution named NFPA 921, 2011 Edition as a “resource guide, training manual,” it further stated that “the alteration of NFPA 921 (2011 Edition) Chapter 18 … does not accurately reflect existing evidentiary standards, or acknowledge and recognized investigative procedures.”
The International Association of Arson Investigators Executives and Board of Directors strongly disagree with the above-stated content of the IAAI Georgia Chapter resolution to the extent that it broadly suggests that NFPA 921, or Chapter 18 in general, does not reflect the best practices and knowledge of the fire investigation community. On the contrary, while there may be disagreement in the community over certain provisions, the document is widely recognized as an authoritative guide to fire investigation, as well as an important reference manual, and Chapter 18 contains critical guidance and methodology regarding the determination of the cause of fires.
The IAAI agrees that NFPA 921 is a “guide,” defined in the glossary of 921 as:

“…3.2.3* Guide. A document that is advisory or informative in nature and that contains only nonmandatory provisions. A guide may contain mandatory statements such as when a guide can be used, but the document as a whole is not suitable for adoption into law.”

Whatever the document is called, no one can deny that NFPA 921 is a document that has had a positive effect on the profession of Fire Investigation. The IAAI uses NFPA 1033 as a basis for our IAAI Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) program. NFPA 921 addresses the methodology and knowledge as outlined in the job performance requirements of NFPA 1033. The testing for both our Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) and our Fire Investigation Technician (IAAI-FIT) use NFPA 921 as a source document for test questions. The IAAI offers classes on NFPA 921 on CFITrainer.Net and in various training formats. In fact, the IAAI provided a class on the changes to the 2011 edition of NFPA 921 at our recent annual training conference.
The IAAI has sitting representatives on 921 and 1033, as well as many members on both committees.
The IAAI has clearly demonstrated and believes a clear understanding and application of NFPA 921 is important in the profession of fire investigation.
The NFPA allows public input into the content of both 1033 and 921. We encourage any and all parties to submit proposals to the NFPA technical committees to continue to improve the documents.


Rodney J. Pevytoe, President
International Association of Arson Investigators
2111 Baldwin Avenue, Suite 203
Crofton, Maryland 21114
410.451.FIRE (3473)
www.firearson.com