CFI Handbook

Chapter One - ADMINISTRATION
Chapter Two - APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND CLAIMING CREDIT
Chapter Three - METHOD OF CERTIFICATION
Chapter Four - APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Chapter Five - EXAMINATION
Chapter Six - MANDATORY FIVE YEAR RECERTIFICATION PROCEDURES
Chapter Seven - REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATION
Chapter Eight - APPEALS PROCESS
Chapter Nine - CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FEE STRUCTURE

CHAPTER 1
ADMINISTRATION Back to Top


ADMINISTRATION DESCRIPTION
The Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) Program is administered by the International Association of Arson Investigators (I.A.A.I.) in conjunction with Participating CHAPTER CFI (PC-CFI) Committees.

Certification as a Fire Investigator by the I.A.A.I. does not determine who shall engage in the practice of the investigation of fires and explosions, nor does it substitute for any licensing or registration required by law.

COMMITTEE DESCRIPTION

The International CFI (I-CFI) Committee consists of seven (7) members ea CFI appointed by the President of the I.A.A.I. The President also appoints the chair and Co-Chair of the Certification Committee, who must be Certified Fire Investigators. At least six (6) members of the committee must be Certified Fire Investigators. These members serve a term of three (3) years A member may be appointed to the committee more than once and can serve for an unlimited number of terms. However, that member can only be appointed to one (1) term at a time. All PC-CFI Committees shall follow the ICFI Committee structure as near as possible.

Committee appointments are made at the International I.A.A.I. AGM. Two (2) appointments must be made each year, with an additional appointment every third (3rd) year.

Attached to the I-CFI Committee shall be the CFI Test Maintenance Subcommittee. This committee consists of five (5) members, each who serve a term of five (5) years. Committee appointments shall be made by the I.A.A.I. President, based on a recommendation by the I-CFI Chair. A subcommittee member can only be appointed to one (1) term at a time; however, members may serve for unlimited consecutive terms. All Test Maintenance Subcommittee members must:

CHAPTER 2
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND CLAIMING CREDIT Back to Top

CLAIMING CREDIT

To verify eligibility for any and all credits claimed, a legible copy of all awards, certificates, diplomas and transcripts must be furnished with each application to support claimed points. These copies are to be a permanent part of the applicant's file and will not be returned to the applicant. Further, an applicant cannot claim Experience Points twice in Lines I through I I (e.g. claim points for part-time investigator and supervisor for the time period 19xx- I 9xx). Likewise, credit claimed in one category cannot be claimed in another (e.g. I.A.A.I. or ATF Testimony course claimed on both Experience, page 3, and Training, line 30).

TRAINING CREDIT

The location of each session, dates of attendance at each session, hours of attendance for each date, topic of each session, and other applicable information must be listed on the provided form for all conferences, programs, seminars and schools claimed for credit. Also, for each listing, copies of certificates/diplomas or letters of attestment must be supplied. These documents allow verification of eligibility for claimed credits,

A maximum of ten percent (10%) of the total training points claimed are allowed for training courses which are not specifically described or titled as being fire investigation-related (e.g. hazardous materials, police procedures, claims adjustment).

EXPERIENCE CREDIT

The locations, employers' names, dates of employment and job descriptions must be provided on a separate sheet of paper for all employment which is indicated in the Claimed Experience Credits. The items should be listed in reverse chronological order. The listing should include all employment so that credit can be awarded where applicable and verification can be made, where necessary, for eligibility for credit. The job description should be illustrative of the reasons why the applicant feels that they should receive the noted credits. You must document the experience with letters from employers or others who can verify your experience. Self-employed applicants can use letters from clients.

FULL/PART-TIME EXPERIENCE DEFINITIONS

To claim credit for full-time experience, you must have been assigned fulltime duties as a fire investigator (full-time is defined as 52 weeks per year or a minimum of 1,500 hours per year, including vacation and sick leave, etc.). Part-time fire investigator is defined as investigators working less than 1,500 hours per year in fire investigation. Part-time investigators must be able to document fire investigation responsibilities for the prior eight years, and have investigated at least 96 fires (average of 12 per year) or can document 250 hours (31 days) of active fire investigation duties per year. Part-time documentation should include letters from supervisors, employers, clients, case cover sheets, or assignment sheets.

EXPERT TESTIMONY

Successfully completing the I.A.A.I. Testimony Course(s) or ATF Testimony Course are accepted alternatives to the expert testimony experience requirement.

COURSE/LECTURES TAUGHT

The location, date, topic and length (in student contact hours) of each course and/or lecture taught must be listed. Suitable documentation includes letters from course organizers/administrators or similar forms of documentation.

BOOKS/ARTICLES/PAPERS AUTHORED,

The title and publisher's name shall be furnished for all books authored; along with the copyright page showing the Library of Congress Catalog Number (books without this number are not accepted). To receive credit for articles or papers published, the following must be furnished: a copy of that article clearly showing the publication name, date, article title, and your name. This copy will be retained in the applicant's file and will not be returned.

EDUCATION

To receive credit in this area, a copy of the school diploma must be furnished. If the degree is related to fire investigation, a copy of the transcript must be provided. These copies will be retained in the applicant's file and will not be returned. Related degrees include Fire Science, Engineering, Chemistry or Law Enforcement.

Courses taken in the pursuit and completion of requirements for any degree claimed in the application may not be claimed in any other section. Courses taken after the degree was awarded or for a degree not claimed may be used for point eligibility in the training section.

TRAINING

If credit is claimed for a tested program (including college level courses not claimed in the education section), the applicant must furnish proof of receiving a passing grade. This proof may be in the form of a copy of a transcripts, a diploma, a certificate, or letter from the course instructor which indicates a passing score. To receive credit for NFPA based Certified Firefighter I and II or like programs, the applicant must provide copies of certificates or diplomas.

ORGANIZATION MEMBER

To receive credit for this area, the applicant must furnish a list, showing all organizations being claimed, their address, and the applicant's dates of membership. Include a photocopy of the membership card or membership certificate.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

All information furnished by the applicant is open to both oral (personal and telephonic) and written verification by the I-CFI and PC-CFI Committees. The applicant may be requested to furnish additional documentation for some or all items.

The application and all documentation for each applicant becomes and remains the property of the I-CFI Committee. Access to these documents is only available to I-CFI members, I.A.A.I. staff, PC-CFI committee members, and the applicant (upon written request). The applicant's file must be maintained by the I-CFI Chairman at the I.A.A.I. Headquarters. All other access to the information shall be by order of a court of law only.

Each applicant must sign the Authorization for Release of Education Training Records included in the application package and return the completed form with the application.

Each applicant may have one or all of their references contacted by the CFI or PC-CFI Committee Member.

Applications are available only from the I.A.A.I. Headquarters. Copies of applications are not acceptable, unless specific written authorization is obtained from the I-CFI Committee Chair or Co-Chair.

CHAPTER 3
METHOD OF CERTIFICATION Back to Top


The only method of Certification by the I.A.A.I. is Certification by Application, Evaluation and Examination.

Certification is available to applicants who can document at least 150 points meet the minimum point requirement for each area as indicated in the application, and pass the I.A.A.I. CFI examination.

CERTIFICATION LOCATION

Certification is international. An applicant does not have to be a member of the I.A.A.I. or any chapter to become certified. Application must be made through the International Office of the I.A.A.I.. Application review will include an evaluation by the I-CFI Committee. PC-CFI Committees will have an opportunity to review a summary of the application, in order to provide the I-CFI Committee with relevant information.

CHAPTER 4
APPLICATION PROCEDURES Back to Top

APPLICATION REVIEW

Applications will be dated with date of receipt. The I-CFI committee shall complete the review of each application within 90 calendar days after the date of receipt.

All CFI applications and recertification applications will be reviewed by an I-CFI committee member for the following:

• Application filled out correctly, including authorization forms;
  
• Adequate supportive documentation provided for each point claimed
  
• Mathematical computation of points is accurate.

Letters providing the applicant's name, summary of points claimed in each major area, and job information will be sent to PC-CFI Committee chairs for review. PC-CFI Committees will have twenty (20) days to respond to the I-CFI Committee with any important information.

At the option of the I-CFI Committee and/or the PC-CFI Committee, an inquiry may be made to verify points claimed by the subject applicant.

An I-CFI Committee Member must sign the application cover sheet (Form 17) to show who reviewed each application and the date(s) of the review.

APPLICATION ACCEPTANCE

A letter will be sent via first class mail to notify the applicant of acceptance of their application (Form 3) within 14 days of application approval by the committee,.

Approved applications will be considered valid for one year from the date of acceptance by the I-CFI Committee. The applicant must complete the examination process within one year of the approval date.

APPLICATION REJECTION

When an application and/or applicant are deemed to be ineligible by reason of incomplete information, lack of supportive documentation, lack of qualifying points or other reasonable disqualifying items, Form 5 will be sent to that applicant via first class mail. Form 5 notifies the applicant of the reason(s) for the rejection of the application.

An applicant may refile for certification within one year of the review date. No additional fees are required for the second review. If an application is rejected a second time, then the person must re-apply to the program, with full fees attached in order to pursue certification.

If a rejected applicant wished to appeal the rejection and/or review process, the procedures are outlined in Chapter 8 Appeals Process.

CHAPTER 5
EXAMINATION Back to Top

EXAMINATION PARAMETERS

The Certification Examination shall be provided by the I.A.A.I. I-CFI committee. The examination will consist of no more than 150 questions drawn from a question bank consisting of true false, matching and/or multiple choice style questions.

The examination parameters include questions for every duty area within NFPA 1033.

The I-CFI Committee reserves the option to evaluate other areas as deemed necessary. Additions to the evaluation areas will be furnished to the applicant prior to their test date.

The test is to be taken "Closed Book," with no notes or aids allowed. During the examination, any instances of attempted or successful fraud, misrepresentation, or improper conduct by the applicant will be referred to the I.A.A.I. Ethical Practices and Grievances Committee as outlined in Chapter 7 Certification Revocation.

The I-CFI Committee will be responsible for scoring the examination,

SITE AND DATE SELECTION

An Examination can be taken at the following location

An examination packet is then made up with the correct number of examinations. A Proctor's Instruction Sheet (Form 7), Applicant Instruction Sheet (form 6), and Applicant's Comments (Form 8). The examination packet must have the applicant's name and Social Security or Identification Number printed on it. An extra exam will be sent for emergency use only...

The examination proctor must verify the identity of each applicant through a driver's license or similar identification which lists the applicant's identification number (to be matched with the examination packet).

Each applicant must sign for their sealed, individually identified (name and Social Security Number or Identification Number) examination packet. The proctor must verify that they have taken the correct packet and must witness their signature on the packet and then retain the packet until they complete and return the examination. Each applicant must return the examination they signed for and also sign the packet indicating they did so. The examination proctor must verify that they witnessed the examinee's signature and attest to same.

The examination will be allowed to continue for two (2) hours, without interruption.

Upon completion of their examination and return of all examination materials, the applicant must leave the examination room.

After the examination session has been completed, the proctor should place the examination in the envelope, seal same, and sign the envelope. All of the remaining materials (examination, instruction sheets, and Applicant's comments) should be placed in the master examination pouch and that pouch sealed. The master examination pouch must be returned to the I-CFI Committee within 24 hours or the next working day after completion of the examination by certified or registered mail. Mailing receipts must be maintained by the PC-CFI Committee and the I.A.A.I. office.

EXAMINEE RESULTS NOTIFICATION PROCESS

Within ten (10) days after administration of the examination, the I.A.A.I. must have evaluated the scorecard for each applicant.

Within twelve (12) days after administration of the examination, the I.A.A.I. must have sent, via first class mail, a pass (Form 9) /fail (Form 10) notice must be sent to each applicant. A list of all who successfully completed the. exam will be sent to the respective PC-CFI Committee Chair-persons. At no time is any applicant or other individual to be told the examination score achieved. This information is "only temporarily available to the I-CFI Committee of the I.A.A.I., and then destroyed.

Within thirty (30) days after satisfactory completion of the examination, the applicant will be mailed their CFI Certificate and wallet card identifying them as a I.A.A.I. "Certified Fire Investigator."

FAILURE OF EXAMINATION - OPTIONS AND PROCESSES

If an applicant receives a score less than the cut-off scores established by the Board of Directors on any examination, they have failed that examination. A copy of Form 10 (Applicant's Notice of Unsatisfactory Examination grade) will be sent to them within twelve (12) days after the examination date.

The applicant has the option of challenging the next scheduled examination (information to be included on Form 10), or any other examination within the next 365 days from the date of the failed examination. For the initial fee, each applicant is allowed the initial challenge and one re-challenge within the 365 days time-frame.

If an applicant fails both examinations or does not re-challenge within the 365 day period they must submit a new application and fee for the CFI program, using then current application guidelines and program requirements. The I-CFI committee reserves the right to waive the 365 day rule if a written request is made to the committee and approved by the I-CFI Chair.

The applicant also has the right of appeal when they fail an examination.

The applicant must notify the I-CFI Committee within thirty (30) days after receipt of Form 10, using the lower portion of that form, as to their intention to waive their rights to a re-examination or their desire to be scheduled for another examination.

The applicant must notify the I-CFI Committee within thirty (30) days after receipt of Form 10, using the lower portion of that form, as to their intention to waive their rights to a re-examination or their desire to be scheduled for another examination.

An applicant is permitted to make a written request that the I-CFI Committee notify him/her of their weak areas on the examination; this information will be furnished within thirty (30) days after receipt of the request.

CHAPTER 6
MANDATORY FIVE YEAR RECERTIFICATION PROCEDURES Back to Top

Certification is awarded for a period of five (5) years from the certificate issue date (indicated on the certificate).

A current I.A.A.I. Recertification Application must be used for all recertification. The recertification application should be received 30 days prior to the CFI expiration date. However, re-certification applications will be accepted up until the expiration date on the person's Certified Fire Investigator certificate or wallet card.

The CFI has a ninety (90) day grace period following expiration of their CFI status in which they are allowed to indicate they are certified - pending the final disposition of the recertification process.

Recertification requires 50 points total, and 20 points must be demonstrated in the training category. Lectures given may account for 75% of the total training points claimed. A maximum often percent (10%) of the total training points claimed are allowed for training courses which are not specifically described or titled as being fire investigation related (e.g. hazardous materials, police procedures, claims adjustment).

Effective January 1, 1999, 20 points from job experience will be required for recertification.

Any CFI recertification applicant who meets the point requirements and submits their recertification application after the expiration date, within six (6) months of their expiration date, may reinstate their CFI status by taking and passing the CFI examination. These applicants are allowed two (2) opportunities to take and pass the examination, but must have completed the reinstatement process within nine (9) months of their CFI expiration date.

Investigators who fail to meet the above requirements must reapply for certification following rules and regulations governing certification at the time of expiration for their certification.

The fee for recertification is $75.00.

CHAPTER 7
REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATION Back to Top

The revocation of certification is the most serious stain upon the character of a Certified Fire Investigator and, as such, it also reflects heavily upon all of the members of the I.A.A.I. and the profession as a whole. Revocation of certification and related investigations will be conducted by the I.A.A.I. Ethical Practices and Grievances Committee.

The grounds for revocation or suspension must be for a supportable cause such as:

• attempted or successful fraud;
  
• misrepresentation;
  
• improper conduct;
  
• conviction for any felony
  
• or any other activity that would lead a reasonable person to question the professional competency, honesty, integrity, or ability of the Certified Fire Investigator.

An individual whose certification has been revoked will never again be eligible for certification by the International Association of Arson Investigators.

CHAPTER 8
APPEALS PROCESSBack to Top

An applicant or Certified Fire Investigator who feels that they have been denied their rights, as outlined under the published rules and regulations of the I.A.A.I., may request an appeal of that denial.

The request of appeal must be in writing and must be received by the I.A.A.I.' no later than sixty (60) days after the date of denial notice.

The I-CFI Committee must respond to the appeal request within thirty (30) days after date of receipts, acknowledging the appeal. The I-CFI Committee will schedule a hearing of that appeal within ninety (90) days after the date of receipt of the original request for appeal.

The appeal is to be dealt with by the Chairman or an appeal subcommittee, or if necessary, the I-CFI Committee as a whole. The appeal hearing is a closed door session and all records of the appeal process are to be maintained in confidence in the I-CFI Headquarters for at least ten (10) years following the appeal review date.

The decision of the I-CFI Committee is to be delivered to the appellee by registered mail within ten (10) days after the decision is reached

A copy of Form 11 (Right of Appeal Form) is to be attached to every application denied notice, examination failure notices, and several formal written notices of I-CFI Committee decisions regarding an individual

In the event that the individual is dissatisfied with the decision of the I-CFI Committee regarding any appeal, that individual may then appeal the CFI Committee decision to the Board of Directors of the I.A.A.I..

CHAPTER 9
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FEE STRUCTUREBack to Top

I.A.A.I. - CFI Fees (in US$)

• Application Fee
  I.A.A.I. Member $120.00
  Non-I.A.A.I. Member $160.00
  
  
• Recertification Fee
  All CFI's' $75.00