The S.C. Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators (SCIAAI) is proud to announce the 2024 1st Quarter Training, with a topic of Fire Dynamics
Date: January 31, 2024
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Training Location: SCFA-Denny Auditorium, 141 Monticello Trail Columbia, South Carolina, 29203
Cost: $35 for members, and $100 for non-members.
Course Overview
For a fire investigator, the understanding of fire dynamics is essential because it is utilized on every scene and is critical to hypothesis testing. Attendees will first show their pre-existing knowledge of fire dynamics through a pre-test derived from questions asked during actual depositions and court testimony. Foundational knowledge will be shared, then built upon to illustrate the complexity of fire dynamics and how understanding physical science is critical to fire scene analysis. The importance of the relationship between heat, fuel, and oxygen will be displayed through numerous videos and case studies. An introduction to quadrant analysis and its application to compartment fire scene evaluation will be included.
The lecture will be reinforced by hands-on demonstrations conducted by instructors. Exercises begin with candle experiments and evolve up to ignitable liquid and ignition scenario demonstrations. Attendees will also watch live-burn demonstrations illustrating the flammability of various materials and fuel loads common to residential and commercial construction.
This training is scheduled for a minimum of 8 contact hours. Furthermore, testing options will be discussed at the training event.
Instructor Bio
The instructor will be Darren Solomon. He is a Senior Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) based in Charlotte, North Carolina. SA Solomon has worked for ATF for over twenty years, serving ten of those years as a Certified Fire Investigator (CFI), certified by both ATF and the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI). SA Solomon is also a member of ATF’s National Response Team and has been designated as Lead CFI on multiple responses. Prior to joining the ATF, SA Solomon worked as a police officer with the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Department, serving four years as an Arson Detective assigned to the Fire Investigation Task Force. SA Solomon holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and a Master's Degree from Oklahoma State University. He also represents ATF on the National Fire Protection Association 1321 - Standard for Fire Investigations Units and is currently the President of the IAAI– North Carolina Chapter. During the course of his career, SA Solomon has had the privilege to teach at various conferences, the National Fire Academy, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and the International Law Enforcement Academy in El Salvador.
Important notes about the training:
- Pre-registration is required. Register online at www.sciaai.org. The cut-off date for registration is Monday, January 29, 2024. Nonmember attendance must be pre-approved by the SCIAAI Board. Pending applicants are to pay a "member fee" to attend. Those wishing to apply for SCIAAI membership can download an application from the website at www.sciaai.org
- The chapter has elected not to utilize cafeteria services at the academy, so 90 minutes has been allotted for lunch on your own.
- All participants will be required to sign a waiver form upon checking on for the class. This form is required by State Fire, as a liability release for the time that participants will be down range for the live demonstrations.
- State Fire has also changed their security process to enter the premises. All participants will be required to show proof of registration, i.e. your confirmation email, to be allowed on premises. This is new to us as well, as I am sure we will have bugs to work out. Please bear with us as we navigate the changes.
