Upcoming Training
Dallas Youth Fire Prevention Class and NTFIA Officer Nominations
Training Session: Youth Fire Prevention (YFP) Program Development The Dallas Fire Investigation Division will present its current processes and strategies for Youth Fire Prevention. This class is ideal for any department, city, county, or organization seeking to establish or enhance a YFP program.
November Monthly Meeting & Officer Nominations Following the training, we will hold our monthly meeting. The November meeting is crucial, as we will be accepting nominations for the 2026 NTFIA officer positions.
If you would like to volunteer for a position or nominate a colleague, please plan to attend. If you are unable to be present, you may submit your nomination by emailing admin@ntfia.com.
This class will be free to attend.
Lunch will be provided for all attendees. We look forward to your participation.
Battery Basics for the Fire Investigator, How They Work and How They Fail.
This course will focus on batteries, their operational principles, failure mechanisms, and basic investigative protocols associated with battery fires. This course will specifically discuss lithium-ion, lithium-polymer, and lithium-metal batteries, their applications, and how and why these batteries fail. After this course, the fire investigator will have a greater understanding of the fundamental concepts associated with batteries and how to best investigate battery-related fires. This course will also discuss safety issues and regulatory guidance, including evolving hazards related to these types of fires and investigative methodologies and include a case study discussing battery failures and pre-cursors.
Instructor Bio:
Brittany Brown is the Chief of Fire Prevention at the Leawood Fire Department. Brown has previously served as a Division Chief for the South Adams County Fire Department and has worked as a Deputy State Fire Marshal for both New Mexico and Texas, and served as a fire marshal and firefighter in New Mexico, Texas, and Kentucky. Brown has worked as a Professor at Eastern Kentucky University and currently teaches for the National Fire Academy, The Southern California Safety Institute, and previously taught for the New Mexico Firefighters Training Academy. Brown is currently pursuing a PhD in Forensics from Oklahoma State University and holds a Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Brown also serves as a SME/committee member for NFPA, ICC, NICET, OSAC, and IFSTA.
NTFIA End of Year Meeting (Discussion on Emerging Technologies)
Join us for our end-of-year meeting where we will hold elections for the 2026 NTFIA officers. This is a great opportunity to network with fellow investigators and discuss the future of our organization.
Following the election, we will have an open discussion on the impact of emerging technologies in fire investigation, including 3D scanning, LiDAR, sketching, and AI. Come prepared to share your insights and experiences on how these advancements are shaping our field.
Lunch will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there for an engaging and informative meeting.
Collin College Fire Investigator (Certification)
Introduction to the investigation of fires and explosions of known and unknown origin, including investigative techniques, collection and preservation of evidence, case preparation and presentation, point-of-origin, and arson law. Upon successful completion of this course, students will take the state certification exam for Fire Investigator.
Cost: $450 per student $55 TCFP Exam Fee
*Excellence Fund is applicable to course fee for eligible Collin County firefighters
Click on the link below to go to the Collin College website
IAAI - Motor Vehicle Fire Investigation (Hosted by NTFIA)
NTFIA is hosting the IAAI Motor Vehicle Fire Investigation Course
The 2 day course consists of 16 hours of tested instruction in determining origin and cause of motor vehicle fires. Based on Chapter 27 of NFPA 921, topics will include vehicle investigation safety, fuel packages, ignition sources, vehicle systems and identification. Included in the instruction is a live electrical demonstration showing how fuses, fusible links and relays work, as well as real time failures such as overloads and shorts. The IAAI Motor Vehicle Fire Investigation 2 day course satisfies the Specialized Training Requirement of the IAAI Motor Vehicle Fire Credential Endorsement program.
CFITrainer.Net® Module Prerequisites:
Motor Vehicles: The Engine and the Ignition, Electrical and Fuel Systems
Motor Vehicles: The Transmission, Exhaust, Brakes and Accessory System
Investigating Motor Vehicle Fires
Prerequisites are required as supporting knowledge for the class and the examination. Materials within the class and examination will reference all prerequisites
Registration Fees:
IAAI Member Price $375.00
Non-IAAI Member Price $555.00
Hands-On Fire Investigation Class
This lesson focuses on fire origin and cause investigations using both classroom instruction and hands-on exercises. Students will spend three hours in a classroom learning the theoretical foundations based on NFPA 921 and NFPA 1033, followed by three hours of practical fire scene investigation. The course will provide a comprehensive understanding of fire scene examination, evidence collection, fire dynamics, and report writing. This class will be capped at 21 students.
Lunch will be provided
2025 Texas Fire Marshals Conference
Join fire prevention professionals from across Texas at the TFMA Annual Conference—the premier event for education, networking, and leadership development in fire investigation, code enforcement, and community risk reduction. Featuring expert-led sessions, hands-on training, and pre-conference classes, the event offers valuable opportunities to stay current on best practices and emerging trends. Whether you're a seasoned fire marshal or new to the field, this conference equips you with the tools to better protect your community.
TFMA Member Pricing - Register by October 10 to receive discounted pricing. Rates increase October 11.
Pre-Conference - Monday (only) - $100
CRR/Public Education Day - Tuesday (only) $125
Conference (Tuesday-Friday) - $400
Pre-Conference AND Conference (Monday-Friday) - $500
Non-TFMA Member Pricing -- Register by October 10 to receive discounted pricing. Rates increase October 11.
Pre-Conference - Monday (only) - $200
CRR/Public Education Day - Tuesday (only) $225
Conference (Tuesday-Friday) - $500
Pre-Conference AND Conference (Monday-Friday) - $600
Click on the link below to go the the TFMA website for more information
Photography Basics / NTFIA Monthly Meeting
08:00 - 12:00 Photography Class
12:00 - 13:00 NTFIA Meeting
Instructor: Dr. Paul Ayers.
Participants should bring and a good working DSLR or mirrorless camera.
Fire Investigation Hypothesis Development / NTFIA Monthly Meeting
This will be a two-hour class on preparing your hypothesis(es) for your fire investigation. The Goals for the course are:
Identify all potential ignition sources, not just the obvious ones.
Understand the critical flaw of using Negative Corpus.
Recognize and counter your own cognitive biases.
Apply the principle of Falsification to rigorously test your hypotheses.
Confidently determine when a cause is "probable" versus when it must be classified as "undetermined."
After the class, NTFIA will host our monthly meeting.
Instructor - Joshua Detzel
*Class location is subject to change.
2025 Tarrant County Fire & Arson Investigator Conference
Tarrant County is hosting their annual Fire & Arson Conference.
TCFAIC Excerpt:
We’re excited to invite you back to the 2025 Tarrant County Fire & Arson Investigator Conference, where professionals from across the region gather for high-impact training, expert instruction, and valuable networking. This year’s conference is scheduled for August 25 – 28, 2025 at the Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex in Fort Worth.
NTFIA Monthly Meeting
We had some cancellations and will not be having the Dallas YFP team. They had some last-minute developments, and we will try to get them re-booked for a future date. The meeting will be a general assembly meeting at the Irving & Grand Prairie Joint Fire Training Facility (4850 N Belt Line Rd, Irving, TX 75038).
11:00 - 12:00 - Officers’ Meeting
12:00 - 13:00 - NTFIA Monthly Meeting
July 2025 Build Day and Monthly Meeting
Instead of a meeting, we will have a build day to prep for the upcoming class. We will build miniature burn cells.
We will take a break for lunch at noon, and have the monthly meeting. If you would like to attend the meeting, a Microsoft Teams invite will be available. You can use the same RSVP link below to sign up for the meeting, just mention attending via Teams.
Breakfast and Lunch will be included for those participating in the build.
June 2025 General Meeting
We invite you to our upcoming June General Assembly Meeting on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 11:30 AM. Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees. For those unable to join us in person, a Microsoft Teams link is available below for virtual participation.
NTFIA Annual Poker Tournament
This will be our 1st Annual Poker Tournament, and we are very excited about this new fundraiser! We believe it will provide a fantastic opportunity for community engagement and support important initiatives. Your participation is vital, whether you want to be a sponsor, contestant, or simply a spectator enjoying the event. Join us as we come together for an evening of excitement, camaraderie, and fundraising for a worthy cause. Please sign up to be a part of this memorable event!
LLRMI Critical Evidence in Cell Phone Investigations
In this class the attendee will be instructed on the many different ways Cell Phones can be used in investigations. While many police officers have been using cell phones, many don’t know all of the ways that cell phones can help solve their crimes. Cell phones evidence can exist in many places, the records, the device, and even the cloud. And in a best case scenario, we will want to get all of that data and compare it. This course will cover all of those ways, explain how to get the evidence, preserve is, and prepare it for trial.
Innovative Tools for Preventing Ignition During Construction Phases - NTFIA and FPANT Joint Training
To enroll in this class, you will need to go to the TEEX Flyer listed below.
Fires in buildings under construction continue to be a growing concern across North Texas and beyond. While code enforcement and planning play a critical role, emerging tools and technologies offer additional layers of protection during vulnerable build phases.
Join us for a special presentation and live fire demo led by M-FIRE Suppression. This training will focus on proactive solutions being deployed to reduce ignition risk in multifamily construction, including the use of non-toxic, environmentally safe fire inhibitors.
Through real-world case studies and a side-by-side burn comparison of treated vs. untreated structures, this session will offer valuable insights into the role innovation can play in reducing fire spread and supporting prevention efforts.
FREE for Members
$85 for Non-Members
A Continental Breakfast & Lunch will be provided.
4 CEUs will be issued by TEEX for this training topic.
NTFIA April Meeting - Fire Investigator K9 Class
LOCATION: Irving and Grand Prairie Joint Fire Training Facility - 4850 North Belt Line Road, Irving, TX 75038
Captain Jason Martinson with the Lewisville Fire Department and his K9 partner, Celina, will be presenting at our April meeting. The presentation will be about an hour long. Captain Martinson will explain what he and Celina are able to do on a fire scene such as, how/why arson investigators would use K9s, what kind of training the K9s and handlers undergo, K9 resources in our area, reasons to call for an accelerant K9, what K9 handlers are looking for while on scene, how the handlers would like us to prepare the scene prior to their arrival, what kinds of scents the K9s can detect as well as what materials confuse them/can cause false positives, how to reference a K9 supplement in your report, what the K9 handler would be responsible for if your case were to go to court, as well as a question/answer session.
Investigating CAT Fires: Training and Panel Discussion
NICB Course
As Californians begin to rebuild following the devastating wildfires, NICB believes unprecedented levels of fraud will be attempted and/or committed. Join us for this panel discussion led by industry experts to gain valuable insights into the complex world of fire investigations, the varying forms of fraud that may occur during the fire recovery process, and the vital role NICB plays in protecting these at-risk communities.
NTFIA Monthly Meetings
This will be our normally scheduled monthly meeting. These occur on the third Wednesday of every month. This month our host will be Gather located at 207 E. Virginia St, McKinney TX.
Fire Investigation Scene Evidence Collection
CCFIA and NTFIA are proud to present our comprehensive Evidence Collection Course, designed to equip fire investigation professionals with the essential skills and knowledge required for effective evidence handling. This interactive, hands-on class will be held in a classroom setting, providing a collaborative learning environment for participants to gain practical experience.
Participants will learn the best practices and techniques for collecting, preserving, and documenting evidence at fire investigation scenes to ensure its integrity and admissibility in legal proceedings. Topics will include the identification of critical evidence types, proper chain of custody procedures, and the use of specialized tools and equipment in the field.