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AWARDS - Training - Other links- - More Stuff - Recent Events - Past EWCTC

Welcome to the Alabama Association of Arson Investigators Web Page. This organization is committed to combating arson and kindred crimes, through service to the Fire Investigation Community with educational and informative training seminars, classes and workshops. We are affiliated with the International Association of Arson Investigators, which is a world-wide organization with over 50,000 members.

We would like for this site to become one of your regular web stops. Check on the latest information and events involving the A. A. A. I.

As you look through this site, you will see that there are a variety of ways in which this site can be utilized to provide information and assistance. Please continue to assist us by providing information relating to the investigation of fires. Information regarding local, state and national events is always welcomed and will be posted if it is relevant to Fire Investigation.

 

E-mail us with all information you wish posted Contact A.A.A.I.

Don't Forget...

The Consumer Products Safety Commission issues recalls and has a searchable database concerning fire related matters. Click here for a link to this valuable resource.

If you need to report arson...use this link:

http://www.aldoi.org/FireMarshal/ReportSuspectedArson.aspx

Get involved with the Alabama Associaton of Arson Investigators! A.A.A.I. Literature

VIDEO

The A.A.A.I. has produced a public service announcement video about the Arson Hotline. It will begin airing in different television markets across Alabama within the next month. A copy of it will be available to view online. We would appreciate anyone helping with the distribution of this video to television and radio broadcasting stations throughout the state. Contact about video

Related Links:

International Association of Arson Investigators

For all International information.

CFI Trainer.net

For CFI training modules and more.

Fire Marshals Association of Alabama

Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs

Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments

This just in -

UK Chapter Website www.iaai-uk.com

A copy of the UK Chapter Newsletter - Interesting read download pdf

 

 

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Recent Events

Workshop in Prattville - November 2008

Registration
Discussion during break

 

There was a great turn out ! We greatly appreciate the interest and attendance.

A very special thank you is in order for Mr. Ed Paulk and Scott Pilgreen for their contribution

and presentation. Also, Mr. David Hyche with the ATF gave a great presentation on explosions

and their investigation.

 

 

Scott Pilgreen, Assistant Fire Marshal,

Ed Paulk, Fire Marshal and

David Hyche with ATF

 

President Wes Pullen introduces Fire Marshal Ed Paulk for a presentation.

 

The scientific method and how it is used, against you and for you generated a good discussion

with many questions and good feedback.

The Scientific Method panel included Attorney, Lynn Hare, Attorney, Sue Williamson and S.I.U. Investigator Mr. Greg Ross.

 

President Pullen and Treasurer Sue Williamson
President Pullen addressing the class
Mr. Greg Ross and Mr. Pat Craig Board members
Ryan Pezent assisting with serving at the luncheon
Billy Connor addressing the class about the Alabama Fire College
The "Church Fires" presentation by Ed Paulk

 

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2008 B. J. Stone Award winner.

 

Mr. Tommy Wiggonton has been awarded the B. J. Stone award for outstanding work in the

Public Sector.

 

Tommy Wiggonton Presentation
Asst. Fire Marshal Pilgreen, Deputy Wiggonton, Fire Marshal Ed Paulk and A.A.A.I. President Wes Pullen
Deputy Wiggonton, Fire Marshal Ed Paulk and A.A.A.I. President Wes Pullen
Deputy T. Wiggonton and President Wes Pullen
A Taylor Baker, J. King, T. Wiggonton, W. Pullen and J. Crain

 

 

Mrs. Sue Williamson has been awarded the Lawrence Bradley award for outstanding work in the Private Sector.

 

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awards
 
Award Recipients for 2006
 
Angela Taylor
Terry-Jeff-Jimmy
Winner B. J. Stone award for 2006, Jimmy Collier.
For Dedicated Service, Mrs. Angela Baker Lawrence Bradley award winner for 2006, Jeff Crain
     
     
     

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Expert Witness Courtroom Testimony Course

 

 

EWCTC May 2008, Hoover, Alabama
  David Bright instructing

Mrs. Deanna Hay, with Klasing and Williamson law firm, during classroom instruction on Day 1.

 

  Mr. David Bright, with Klasing and Williamson law firm, clarifying a point concerning testimony instruction.
R Keith instructing   D Bailey preparing

Richard Keith, Certified EWCTC instructor, providing last minute details concerning courtroom testimony on Day 2.

 

  Mr. Wesley Cox, Mr. David Brown and Mr. Dennis Bailey (left to right), discussing points in the courtroom.
dharper-dbrown  
rnelson-dbright

Mr. Doug Harper and Mr. David Brown in classroom, day1.

 

  Mr. Rod Nelson, with Spain Gillon law firm, checking points before cross examination. David Bright preparing for direct examination.
hyother crtrm
 
ccarlisle crtrm

Mrs. Hillary Yother, with Beers, Anderson, Jackson, Patty and Fawal PC law firm, preparing for direct examination.

 

  Mr. Cliff Carlisle checking things at the last moment before testimony.

 

May 2008 Class Photograph

classphoto

 

Dennis Bailey, Rod Nelson, Richard Keith, Cliff Carlisle, Doug Harper, Wesley Cox, David Brown and David Bright (top row)

Terry Beckham, Jeff Crain, Debbie Taylor, Deanna Hay and Hillary Yother (bottom row)

 

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Expert Witness Courtroom Testimony Course

April 2007

The second Expert Witness Courtroom Testimony Class in Alabama was held in Hoover - in April of 2007.

Direct and cross examination of Mr. Shannon Taylor, by Mrs. Hilary Yother and Mr. Mike Anderton

Certified Instructor Richard Keith discusses testifying with Mr. Morgan Fuller.

Mr. Taylor Shannon and Joe Geitgey go over class notes during a break.

April 2007 Class

Left to Right

Back row: Richard Keith, Terry Beckham, Jeff Crain

Standing:Donnie West, Shannon Taylor, Mike Anderton, Morgan Fuller, Joe Geitgey

Sitting: Hilary Yother, Devra Goldstein, Judy Van Heest, Sue E. Williamson

 

 

 

 

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Expert Witness Courtroom Testimony Course

October 2006

 

The first Expert Witness Courtroom Testimony Class in Alabama was held on October 20 - 22 in Prattville, Alabama. The class was filled to its maximum number of student experts. We want to thank the Prattville Fire Department and the Autauga County Court House staff for allowing us to use their courthouse facility.

Day 1

Class room instruction by Mr. Ken Finley (2nd Vice President of the I. A. A. I.) and Mr. Alan Finke.

There is no truth to the rumor that Mr. Finke was just someone Mr. Finley met on the plane trip. Mr. Finke is the Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Marshal with the Brenham Fire Department, Brenham Texas (Home of Blue Bell Ice Cream). Mr. Finley and Mr. Finke are both graduates of EWCTC course, certified instructors and both are CFI with the IAAI.

 

Day 2

Instruction by Mrs. Judy Van Heest. Mrs. Van Heest is on the I.A.A.I. Board of Directors and is an attorney with Beers, Anderson, Jackson, Patty, Van Heest & Fawal P.C., in Montgomery, Alabama. She has worked with the I.A.A.I. EWCTC course in several states.

Day 3

Waiting to testify. Mr. Richard Keith (left) and Mr. Kelly Kistner (right). Mr. Keith is President of Pyrtech, Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama. He is a long time CFI and is has been Certified as an instructor for the EWCTC. Mr. Kistner is Operations Supervisor, Unified Investigation and Services, Inc. in Gandbury, Texas.

Going over last minute details. Ms. Debra Taylor, Mr. Richard Keith and Mr. Troy Ammons. Ms. Taylor is with Beers, Anderson, Jackson, Patty, Van Heest & Fawal P.C., in Montgomery, Alabama. Mr. Ammons is an investigator with Crain Massengale, Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama.

 

Day 3

Mrs. Sue Williamson and Mr. Rod Williams discussing details of the case. Mrs. Williamson is a partner with Klasing and Williamson in Birmingham, Alabama and has considerable experience in fire related litigation. Mr. Williams is an investigator with EFI Global, recently retired from the Hoover Fire Department.

 

 

Class Photograph (left to right)

Second row - Rod Williams, Terry Beckham, Troy Ammons, Kelly Kistner, Richard Keith, Wes Pullen, Ryan Pezent, Jeff Crain

First row - Alan Finke, Debra Taylor, Judy Van Heest, Sue Williamson, Ken Finley

 

The Alabama Association of Arson Investigators expresses their sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone involved with helping put on the class.

 

 

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Event just completed:

 

Fall Seminar - Orange Beach

October 12 - 15, 2009

Classes at Columbia Southern University

21982 University Lane

Orange Beach, AL 36561

Hotels etc

Special Note: The 38th Annual National Shrimp Festival will be held on October 8-11th (the week before the seminar).

This is a huge draw for the area (bringing in around 300,000 people).

Hotel reservations should be made as soon as possible to ensure a room for the conference.

 

Oct 2009 Seminar brochure

This seminar will focus on Origin and Cause Fire Investigation

of structure fires and vehicles with added time and instruction in

vehicle theft and anti-theft systems.

 

Con-Ed Credit

 

 

Instructors will include:

 

Keith Bell with RK Bell Consulting

Mr. Bell has over 15 years of fire investigation experience having worked with the Georgia State Fire Marshal's Office, a private investigation

service and since 2008 formed his own company, RK Bell Consulting. He has conducted over 1500 investigations involving industrial, commercial,

residential, vehicles and equipment fires and explosions.

 

Frank E. Hagan, P.E., Senior Consulting Engineer with Engineering Systems, Inc.

Mr. Hagan is a mechanical engineer with more than twenty years of experience and has conducted more than 1,000 investigations involving

fires and explosions resulting from product, system or component failure / malfunctions.

 

George Yeremian, P.E., Consulting Engineer with EFI / Global.

Mr. Yeremian has over 25 years of experience in engineering design of Industrial and Commercial faciliities and evaluating electrical fire causes.

He has been involved in over 800 investigations and in excess of 500 fire scene examinations.

 

Mike Bresnock, Transportation Technology

The class will entail description of the mechanical portion of automobile key locks.

Description of operation and testing (on-car) of vehicle transponder and other anti-theft systems.

Microscopic inspection of key lock wafers. On-car testing of anti-theft system with scanner.

Discussion of advertised aftermarket add-on products to defeat the systems.

Discussion of preliminary interview questions. Review of case studies.

List of tools and  equipment needed to pursue investigations in vehicle theft and arson.

 

Orange Beach, Alabama

 

Structure Fire Investigation topics

Vehicle Fire Investigation and Theft topics

Live burns and demonstrations

Seafood Boil on Tuesday evening

 

For more details

Seminar Brochure

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing Education Credit

For continuation education credits, APOST, CLE, CFI related and other ConEd, we are offering an examination afterward

with a certificate of participation reflecting the hours of instruction and a "tested" option. The test is at the end of the Seminar

and the certificates will be issued after testing.

 

It is our understanding:

APOST - will require a copy of the certificate, which should be completed by your supervisor / Chief. The AAAI will maintain a copy

of the roster along with a detailed list with class topics and activities covered.

CLE - The AAAI is in the process of obtaining pre-approval for the seminar through the Alabama BAR

CFI - IAAI will honor the AAAI sponsored Seminar. The attendee will need a copy of the certificate of Participation.

 

For APOST - Seminar Schedule

 

Seminar top

 

Hotel Information:

Accommodations with Brett-Robinson Vacation Rentals:

 

Phoenix VI, VII, VIII Condominiums

26802 Perdido Beach Blvd.
Approx 7 miles east of Highway 59
Orange Beach, Alabama

Reservations:  Please mention discount code #1235751 to make their reservation by calling our reservation department – 1-800-221-0258, available 24 hours every day.

 

 

Orange Beach luxury with extra wide beach.  Indoor/outdoor pools, elevators, lighted tennis courts, indoor racquetball courts, hot tubs, saunas, exercise room, gazebo, grills.* Large meeting facilities available.  Some units provide reserved parking for a nominal charge.  On site 24-hour front desk check-in. All condominiums are completely furnished and have fully equipped kitchens.  Full size refrigerators, stove, dishwasher, microwave, washer/dryer, tv/vcr, and linens.
 
                                                                      Total Cost                  Total Cost      
 Condominium          Occupancy            3 night’s stay             5 night’s stay
1bedroom/1bath          sleeps 2-4                   395.16                          531.69                                   
2bedroom/2bath          sleeps 4-6                   506.16                         677.10                 
3bedroom/2bath          sleeps 6-8                   577.20                         778.11          

Total cost includes all fees and taxes. 

To view this property, please click on link http://www.brett-robinson.com/rental_phx7.html

 

We offer a variety of properties on our rental program.  Please ask your Brett-Robinson reservation agent to assist you in finding the perfect locations for you and your family.

 

Phoenix All Suites Hotel
201 E. Beach Blvd. (Approx. 0.1 miles east of Highway 59)
Gulf Shores, Alabama  36542

One of Gulf Shore’s newest accommodations located in the middle of town.  The hotel offers one bedroom suites featuring a King size bed, sofa sleeper and bunk beds for young children.  A fully equipped kitchen and one and one half baths offer all the conveniences of home.  Each suite’s balcony overlooks the Gulf of Mexico.  Amenities include outdoor pool and onsite laundry room.  Each suite is provided with one parking space.  Private conference space not available at this facility. 

                                                                 Occupancy            Daily rate

One bedroom Suites with 1 ½  baths       sleeps 2-5              $110.00
                                                                daily rate plus 11% lodging tax

  • No minimum requirement.
  • Discount group rates available starting Sunday, October 11, 2009.

 

To view this property, please visit our web site at http://www.brett-robinson.com/rental_phxASH.html

 

 

Deposit:  A prepaid deposit of the first nights rent plus tax is needed to secure your reservation.  This deposit is deducted from the total balance due at check in.
     Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and check or money orders are accepted.

Reservations:  Please have attendees’ mention discount code #1235751 to make their reservation by calling our reservation department – 1-800-221-0258, available 24 hours every day.

Confirmations:  A written confirmation of the reservation will be mailed upon receipt of the prepaid deposit.

Cancellation:  A $30.00 cancellation fee is assessed for all cancellations.  However if you cancel less than 7 days prior to arrival, your advance payment will be forfeited.

Parking:  All Parking is limited to paying guests only.  One permit is provided for a 1-bedroom unit.  Two permits are provided for two and three bedroom units.

Check-in and Check-out:  Check in after 3:00 p.m. at the property you choose for your reservation.  Check-out at the same front desk before 11:00 a.m.

 

Last information update: 9-8-09 / 10:00 am

 

 

 

 

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9-09

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EWCTC -

Those interested please use the link below.

Facilitator: Jeff Crain

For information please contact EWCTC info

 

 

 

revised 10-08

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More Stuff:

Newsletter -

The third Quarter Newsletter is available here Newsletter #3 2006 pdf

Way more than you ever wanted to know about Photography (all formats and media)

last updated 10-08

 

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