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The International Association of Arson Investigators Educational Foundation, Inc. was formed
in 1989 for the purpose of securing a permanent building to serve as International headquarters
for the Association. Over the years, the Foundation has expanded and grown into a number of
different areas. The Foundation mission statement now reflects this growth.
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Mission Statement
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To foster, support and promote fire prevention
and arson awareness through education and training.
We exist to improve the education and training of explosion and fire origin and cause investigators
by our dedicated efforts against arson. Through our project funding and grants plus our John
Charles Wilson Scholarships, our service involves designing and maintaining arson prevention
programs. Through the Foundation's sister organization, The International Association of Arson
Investigators, Inc., (I.A.A.I.) its Chapters and Members throughout the world, and all our partners
in our crusade against arson, we seek to educate those we serve to better protect life and
property from heinous crimes of insurance fraud and arson. We raise funds from the public and
private sectors including government, corporate and private donations to distribute to worthy
educational and training projects and programs. We will continue our endeavors for howsoever
long it takes to extinguish arson from the earth.
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FOUNDATION PROJECTS
John Charles Wilson Scholarships
Each year the I.A.A.I. Educational Foundation Inc. college scholarships for students taking course
work related to fire science, law enforcement or fire and arson investigation. This would include
students taking pre-law or forensic courses at accredited community colleges or four-year universities.
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Church Arson
The foundation allocated funds for the printing of an Arson Prevention for Americas Churches and
Synagogues brochure. Funding was also provided for a series of free church arson prevention programs
for church leaders throughout North America. Almost 50 programs were presented from California to
New York, Toronto to Texas and many locations in between.
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Audio/Visual Grants
The Foundation made available matching grants for local fire and police departments for the purchase
of audiovisual equipment use in investigation and training of personnel. The Foundation set aside
$19,500 for the purchase of such items as slide projectors, monitors, VCR's and overhead projectors.
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Juvenile Fire Setters |
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The Foundation has funded programs concerning juvenile fire setting and arson.
As an example of the commitment to reducing the number of juvenile fires, the Foundation issued a
three-year $33,000 grant to the Bingham Child Guidance Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
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Research and Test Burns |
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The Foundation funded the California Chapter I.A.A.I. in the research and development of a Multiple
Fire Setter Analysis course to train investigators how to recognize and
investigate serial arson. In New Jersey, a joint venture between the New Jersey Chapter I.A.A.I.,
Law Enforcement and Prosecutors developed a re-burnable building which is used to train fire
investigators in arson investigation. |
The Foundation also provided funds to the I.A.A.I. Training and Education committee. They purchased
the necessary equipment to monitor in test burns to document fire progression, flashover, flame
spread and other empirical data used in training programs throughout the world.
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Training Scholarships and Grants
Funding is available to fire investigators worldwide to attend seminars and training classes.
These people can then return to their own areas and pass that knowledge on to others. The training
program has been very popular and allows more investigators to be trained more quickly and efficiently.
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Building Fund
The I.A.A.I. Educational Foundation Inc. has purchased a building in the St. Louis metro area which
will serve as its headquarters. It will also offer space to the International Association of Arson
Investigators, Inc. for its world headquarters. The building will allow both organizations to expand
and serve its members for many years to come.
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Tax Deductible
The International Association of Arson Investigators Educational Foundation Inc. is a tax deductible
501 (C)(3) charitable organization. Your tax deductible donation will enable us to continue our work
in the fight against arson and related crimes. Contact the Educational Foundation about
making a donation.
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Educational Seminars
The foundation hosts specialized training seminars for individuals involved in the detection, investigation
or prosecution of arson fires or related crimes. Attendee's include fire services, law
enforcement, insurance personnel, civil and criminal attorneys, forensic accountants,
forensic scientist as well as private investigators. The latest round of seminars' are entitled
"Weapon's of Mass Destruction / Terrorism". Classes have also been presented on NFPA 941 and other
fire investigation related course work. The foundation works hand in hand with the Training
and Education Committee of the International Association of Arson Investigators to provide
the latest information available. |
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