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Fire Investigation & Training

MSP Fire Investigation Training

Fire Investigation & Training

Fire Investigation

Fire investigation services are available to police and fire service agencies throughout Michigan, 24 hours a day. The Michigan State Police, Fire Investigation Unit has field offices located in strategic locations to provide convenient and timely services.

Police and fire agencies may call 1-888-684-3473 (1-888-684-FIRE) toll-free from anywhere in the state to reach their area investigator.

Find Fire Investigation Unit Contact Information

Fire Investigation & Arson Investigation Training

The Michigan Department of State Police has been offering training for Fire Investigators since 1980 and has trained over 2000 investigators. Successful applicants come from law enforcement officers, public safety officers, and firefighters.

Our training program is accredited through the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (ProBoard). We are one of only 22 entities worldwide that are accredited by ProBoard for fire investigation training. Training meets the standards within the National Fire Protection Association standard 1033.

 

The Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Unit is hosting a ten-day basic Fire Investigation I School. The program is nationally accredited and is recognized as a leader in fire investigation training. The purpose of the program is to provide investigators with a solid foundation of fire investigation skills. A variety of methods and resources will be utilized to facilitate learning, including classroom lecture and hands-on training.

Topics include:

 

Fire Chemistry & Behavior
Fire Suppression
Building Construction
Electrical Fire Causes
Origin and Cause Determination
Accidental Fire Causes
Fatal Fires
Explosions
Incendiary Fire Causes
Arson Motives
Legal Aspects
Photography
Thermodynamics & Thermometry
NFPA 921 and 1033
 
Interview & Interrogation
Courtroom Testimony
Fire Scene Diagramming
Report Writing and Case Preparation
Evidence Collection
Accelerant Canine

Pre-Course Work:

The following courses on CFI Trainer (no cost) are required to be completed prior to start of the course:

  • Ethics and the Fire Investigator
  • The Scientific Method for Fire/Explosion Investigations
  • NFPA 1033 and Your Career
  • The Practical Application of the Relationship between NFPA 1033 and NFPA 921
  • HAZ-WOPER (if no awareness)
  • Introduction to Fire Dynamics and Modeling
  • Search and Seizure

Next School: October 14 – October 25, 2024 (Registration closed)

Future Dates: 
April 28 - May 9, 2025 (Registration deadline is January 10, 2025)
Oct 13 - 24, 2025 (Registration deadline is July 11, 2025)

Location: Michigan State Police Grand Rapids Post, 2290 4 Mile Road NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544

Cost: $700 (includes lunches and materials). Lodging is the responsibility of each agency/attendee. Lodging information will be shared in a confirmation email. 

Registration must be completed in MI-TRAIN using course code 1074243. On the Registration tab, click Get Approval and submit the CID-005 - Fire Investigation Training Application prior to the application deadline. Since course availability is limited, all registrants will be placed on a waiting list until approximately one month prior to the class start date. Once final selection has been made, each student will receive an email confirmation.

For more information, contact Spl/Sgt. Jason Mercier at 810-358-8825. This course is MCOLES and LARA approved.

 

The Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Unit is hosting a four-day Fire Investigation II School. Applicants must have completed the Fire Investigation I School prior to attending this training. The purpose of the program is to provide investigators with a solid foundation of fire investigation skills. A variety of methods and resources will be utilized to facilitate learning, including classroom lecture and live demonstration.

 

Topics included but not limited to:

Electrical Fires
Ventilation / Arc Mapping
Fatal Fires
Insurance Process and Investigation
Utility Investigations
Forensic Anthropology
Bomb Awareness
MIOC/Intelligence/MSP Assets
Fuel Gas Explosions 


Next School:
August 5 - August 8, 2024 (42nd school)

  • 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Monday, Aug 5)
  • 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Tuesday-Wednesday, Aug 6-7)
  • 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.. (Thursday, Aug 8)

Future Dates: August 4 - 8, 2025

Location: 2290 4 Mile Road NW, Grand Rapids, MI (MSP Grand Rapids Post)

Cost: $150. Lodging is the responsibility of each agency/attendee. Lodging information will be shared in a confirmation email.

Registration must be completed in MI-TRAIN using course code 1114786.

For more information, contact Spl/Sgt. Jason Mercier at 810-358-8825. This course is MCOLES and LARA approved.

 

This program will provide students with knowledge of the latest investigative tools relating to vehicle fire and theft investigations. A variety of methods and resources will be utilized to facilitate learning, including classroom lecture and a one-day hands-on training exercise. 

Dates: June 2 - 5, 2025

 

Location: Michigan State Police Grand Rapids Post, 2290 4 Mile Rd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544

Registration: MI-TRAIN Course Code: 1114788

For more information, contact Spl/Sgt. Jason Mercier at 810-358-8825. This course is MCOLES and LARA approved.

The Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Unit is hosting a five-day Arson Prosecution School. The purpose of the program is to provide prosecutors with a foundation for the successful prosecution of arson cases. This class will be taught by experienced prosecutors that have been successful in the prosecution of arson cases. It will also be held in conjunction with the Michigan State Police Fire Investigation I school which enable prosecutors to interact with and conduct practical exercises along with fire investigators.

Topics include:

Fire Science, Effects and Patterns
Legal Considerations for Investigation and Charging
Examining the Scene
Origin and Cause Determination
Incendiary Fires and Motives
Expert Testimony: Direct and Cross
Courtroom Testimony: practical exercise
Michigan State Police services
Drug Related Fires
Civil Litigation


Dates:
October  21 – October 25, 2024

Location: Michigan State Police Grand Rapids Post, 2290 4 Mile Road NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544

Cost: $260 (Includes lunches, materials, and NFPA 921/1033). Lodging is the responsibility of each agency/attendee. Lodging information will be shared in a confirmation email.

Registration must be completed in MI-TRAIN using course code 1108068. On the Registration tab, click Get Approval. Since course availability is limited to six, all registrants will be placed on a waiting list until approximately one month prior to the class start date. Once final selection has been made, each student will receive an email confirmation.

For more information, contact Heather Maynard at 517-256-5506 or D/F/Lt. Trever Slater at 269-251-1309.

 

Find Fire Investigation forms

If you have questions, please contact:

Ms. Heather Maynard
517-256-5506
MaynardH1@michigan.gov

D/F/Lt. Trever Slater
269-251-1309
SlaterT@michigan.gov