North Bay is hosting to an advanced fire investigation course this week, organized by North Bay Fire, the the International Association of Arson Investigators Ontario and the Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association.
Representatives from fire, police services and the insurance industry from across Ontario participated in the week-long course, which consists of in class theory and practical scene investigations, hosted at Canadore College.
North Bay fire chief, Jason Whiteley, said students this week start with fire origin determination and pattern analysis, documenting scenes, evidence handling, then specific presentations on fires with electricity, appliances, boats vehicles and explosions.
The course concludes with a day of practical evolutions in fire scene determination. Four burn cells were created to produce different fire scene scenarios, as well as a car fire scenario to challenge and let the students apply their learning.
Students then have the opportunity to challenge the National Association of Fire investigators exam so they may apply to become certified as Fire and Explosion Investigators.