This 120 hour class is designed as the foundational level of education and training for fire and arson investigators.  The program meets the Job Performance Requirements of NFPA 1033 “Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator.”  The investigation program includes comprehensive courses covering multiple topics and requiring significant student participation, reading and homework activity.  The course includes the following topics: Basic fire science, fire patterns, building systems, electricity and fire, fuel gas systems, fire related human behavior, legal considerations, safety, sources of information, planning the investigation, Documentation of the investigation, physical evidence, origin & cause determination, analyzing the incident for cause and responsibility, failure analysis and analytical tools, explosions and incendiary fires, fire and explosion deaths and injuries, appliances, motor vehicle fires, wild fire investigations, management of complex investigations and marine fire investigations.  The text book included with the course is “Fire Investigator: Principles and Practice.”  Primary resources for the program are NFPA 921 “Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations” and “Kirks Fire Investigation.”  The practical requirement for the class will involve outdoor simulated scene work.  Firefighting gear is not required for the class but old clothes, gloves and work boots are recommended for the practical activity.  Students are encouraged to bring personal cameras for use in the practical activity.  The text book and NFPA 921 is provided with the program for students to keep and will be distributed the first day of class. These books are utilized for all three weeks and students should be sure to bring them to all course sessions. Students are encouraged to bring any reference material that they feel might be helpful to them.