Dear CAFI Members,

There’s been a lot of things happening at CAFI since my last writing. On October 25, we held our first on-line live webinar hosted by FPO James Hind, London Fire, a specialist and authority on hoarding and all of its’ problems. The webinar was broadcast via GoToWebinar to CAFI membership and was well attended. Save for several minor technical issues, the webinar was well received and we had very positive feedback.

The next webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, January 10, 2018 (12 pm - 1 pm), and is on Marijuana Butane Honey Oil (BHO) Extraction Fire and Explosion Investigations. The webinar is presented by our very own expert on these investigations, Jason Williams an investigator with the OFMEM. Join us for this educational webinar as Jason takes you through Fire and Explosion incidents occurring at illegal drug producing facilities, which cause serious injuries, property damage and even death. Professional training hours will be granted to those participants who sign up and participate through the entire webinar. Please go to our SEMINARS section on the web site for more information and to register.

Past presented webinars are recorded and posted to the CAFI web site under the members’ only section.  CAFI Members can LOGIN with the temporary password Cafi2017# and follow instructions to change their password to a permanent one. Once in the members’ only section, choose Archived Webinars on the right side menu. The members’ only section also contains past copies of the CAFI Journal magazine for your reading pleasure.

Another item that has kept us busy is the MOU and partnership with the Faculty of Forensic Sciences at Laurentian University, in Sudbury, an innovative new forensic fire investigation training program. As earlier announced, this university level training is a dynamic four course program that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the job function of a Professional Fire Investigator to the NFPA 1033 Standard. Admission into this program is guaranteed to CAFI members in good standing, one of the many benefits of your CAFI membership.  More details provided under the NEWS/EVENTS section of our web site.

The AGM was held on December 5, 2017 via ZOOM video conferencing. Unfortunately Jeff Minten tendered his resignation as the executive second Vice President due to his career change from the OFMEM to the OPP. We wish Jeff all the best in his new career and thank him for his valuable contributions. Tim Irish, CAFI regional director in Thunder Bay was nominated and accepted the second Vice President position on the CAFI executive. We also elected three new regional directors:

1. Brad Davidson an investigator/instructor as well as volunteer firefighter at Hudbay Minerals in Flin Flon, Manitoba
2. Jim Burns, a Fire Inspector and Investigator with the Regina Fire & Protective Services; and,
3. Jason Williams an investigator with the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management in Ontario.

The CAFI South Central Ontario chapter has recently announced their spring training seminar.  This 2-day live training seminar will take place at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority Fire and Emergency Services Training Institute (FESTI) on Wednesday April 18 and Thursday April 19, 2018. The seminar is titled “JUST ADD GAS??” Investigation and Identification of Incendiary Fires.  A portion of this seminar will include the viewing and investigation of a burn cell fire. Please go to our Live SEMINARS section on the web site for more information and to register.

With all of the training opportunities, it is an exciting time for CAFI members. As we near the end of 2017, I wish you all a fire safe holiday season. 

Yours Truly,

Vladimir Chlistovsky, CCFI-C, CFEI, P.Eng.
President, Canadian Association of Fire Investigators
Email: president@cafi.ca