VOLUME 25 DECEMBER 2012 ISSUE 2

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1 VOLUME 25 DECEMBER 2012 ISSUE 2 THE DESK OF OF FROM Becky Nelson 2 ND VICE PRESIDENT and FIREFAX EDITOR I hope this edition of Firefax finds everyone well and getting into the holiday spirit. I want to take this opportunity to thank those of you who voted for me for the position of 2 nd Vice President. I am looking forward to the challenges this new position will have and appreciative of the learning opportunities it will afford me. The other elected officials this year are as follows: Mark Crooks President John Grier 1 st Vice President Paul O Connell Secretary/Treasurer Jeff Hutcheson Director at Large/West Jeff Haler Director of Detection With the change of the Secretary/Treasurer the Chapter has a new mailing address. Please send all correspondence to: Iowa Chapter IAAI Inc. PO Box West Des Moines, IA With the impeding cold weather I want to take this time to remind everyone to be careful with the use of space heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces or any source of auxiliary heat. Please be mindful of clearances and keep combustibles at a safe distance. The 2012 Annual Seminar was a great success. First and foremost I want to thank the members. Without the loyalty of each of you paying your dues and registering to attend the conference, the Chapter couldn t bring in the caliber of speakers we are able to. I would be remise if I didn t also thank our sponsors. The Chapter has several dedicated businesses, which have continued through the years to support our effort. This year we were also fortunate to have some new sponsors and new vendors. I hope everyone who attended took the time to stop and visit with the vendors and show them your appreciation for them supporting the Chapter. Mark Your Calendar! 2013Iowa IAAI Annual Seminar & Conference September 18-20,

2 2013 IOWA IAAI ANNUAL SEMINAR & CONFERENCE SCHEDULED The 2013 Iowa IAAI Annual Seminar and Conference has been scheduled. Save the dates of September 18-20, The conference will be held at the newly renovated Quality Inn & Suites in Ames, Iowa. Our gratitude to Past President/Site Selection Chairman Clark for visiting with the various hotels that provided bids for This allowed the board to have the opportunity to select the facility, which offered the best possible venue for the meeting. The room night rate for 2013 is only $92 a night. The Board is working diligently to put together a seminar, which will have useful training even for the most seasoned investigator. The agenda should be finalized by early spring, so stay posted for updated information. We are also fortunate with the work of Chairman Clark to have received bids for In looking at the upcoming needs of the Chapter a contract has been signed for the Conference to be held September 8-12, 2014 at the West Des Moines Marriott. The room rates for 2014 are guaranteed at $109 a night. For those of you who weren t able to attend this year, the Marriott has also went through some changes and their common areas have been remodeled and they are upgrading their sleeping rooms. As always, we are interested in your input on future locations and other needs, you as members have. Whether it s back to the basics of origin and cause investigation or some specialized training you may need, please let any of the Officers or Board know, so we can ensure our member s educational needs are met. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWEST IAAI FIRE INVESTIGATION TECHNICIAN Paul O Connell Secretary/Treasurer If you have recently received a certification please let Firefax Editor Nelson know so you can be acknowledged. A Special Thanks to our 2012 Sponsors: Brown Engineering Company Des Moines, Iowa Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, Alabama Donan Engineering Company, Inc. Omaha, Nebraska Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company Grinnell, Iowa Independent Forensic Investigations Corporation Urbandale, Iowa JLM Shooters Supply Urbandale, Iowa OnSite Engineering & Forensic Services, Inc. Prior Lake, Minnesota OF OF DESK THE FROM Mark Crooks PRESIDENT I hope that this Firefax finds everyone doing well and in full preparation for the upcoming holiday season. I would like to start by saying thank you to the members for the confidence you have placed in me to lead this organization for the next year. It is an honor for me to serve as the Chapter President, a job that I do not take lightly. I am looking forward to the challenges faced by the Board and finding positive solutions to them. I think that we are off to a great start. I heard several great comments about the 2012 seminar. I hope that everyone was able to take something away and use it in your investigations. I 2

3 thought that all of the speakers did a fantastic job. Plans for the 2013 annual seminar are starting to come together. 1st Vice President John Grier has some great ideas in mind and is working hard to put them in place. The 2013 seminar will be held at the Quality Inn & Suites, in Ames, September I look forward to seeing you there. At the Board meeting following the seminar, the board voted to become a learning partner with Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, AL. Columbia Southern is an online university and is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council. They are also affiliated with Waldorf College located in Forest City, IA. By partnering with Columbia Southern, our members, and their family members, will have opportunities to advance their education by taking online classes that fit their needs and schedules. They offer these online classes with a 10% discount to all of our members as well as spouses and children. The Board views this as a win/win situation and agreed to the partnership. For more information please go to their website at The Board would like to continue with having Lunch & Learns in different parts of the state. We are always looking for someone to host a Lunch & Learn in their community. These are free 30 to 45 minute training opportunities to the host and the attendee s pay for their lunch. All we need is a time, location, and a list of invitees. If you are interested in hosting one of these Lunch & Learns, please let us know. I hope that everyone has a joyous and safe holiday season, and a Happy New Year. DESK OF OF THE FROM Jeff Hutcheson DIRECTOR WEST I m back! I would like to take this opportunity to say Thank You to my fellow Iowa Chapter members for having the faith and confidence in me to re-elect me to the Board of Directors. Since my last term in office I have retired from the Council Bluffs Fire Department after nearly 30 years of continuous service. I have also been fortunate enough to remain in the Fire Investigation business as a Fire and Explosion Investigator with Donan Engineering Company, Inc. As I leave one career and begin another, I have had been able to look back and reflect on my choice of a career. I am not one of those people who grew up wanting to become a firefighter. In fact, I had never given it a thought until 1979 when a family friend suggested I look at the Fire Department as a career. I had been working as a carpenter since before graduating from High School and, at the time of the aforementioned conversation, was very happy to remain in construction. When the friend explained that the fire service was always looking for good employees and that the construction industry was a good background for firefighters I decided nothing ventured, nothing gained. I took the entry test that fall and was offered a position. Since beginning the process I had left the construction world and had gone to work for Northwestern Bell as a telephone lineman. I was very happy and making good money so I turned down the fire department job offer. A year later, after the government breakup of the Bell system, I found myself looking for a career again. Thinking back to the fire department I began the process all over again. I tested successfully, was offered a job which I gladly accepted, and the rest, as they say, is history. I began looking at fire investigation as a specialty after about three years on the job. I began taking classes which I thought would improve my chances of becoming an investigator. With my construction background, a college education and several years of experience as a firefighter I was offered the chance to take a very temporary assignment in the Council Bluffs Fire Marshal s office in My short stint in the FM office lasted only a couple of months but it was enough to convince me I had found my niche. A few more classes, a couple of promotions and a permanent assignment in the Fire Marshal s office was offered in early I jumped at the chance and soon found myself as the lead investigator. I would like to credit Fire Marshal Dan Branstetter (Ret.) for teaching me as much as he could about becoming a great investigator. When Dan retired, I moved into his Fire Marshal s position where I remained until late summer of 2008 when I returned to fire Continued on page 8 3

4 2012 ANNUAL GENERAL SEMINAR AND MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Tuesday night classes started with the Chapter s own Life Member Ted Strait who spoke about his participation with the Des Moines Fire Department in the origin and cause investigation of the 1978 Younkers Fire, where 10 people were killed. Steve Ponsetto DPS Interim Commissioner Ray Reynolds Director, Iowa State Fire Marshal Presentation of Colors by Indianola Fire Department Honor Guard Mike Whitsell Todd Hartzler Fire Marshal, IFIC, City of West Des Moines Chapter Chaplain Now it was time to roll up the sleeves and start the seminar first order of business open the floor up for elections. National Anthem by Friends of Fine Art, Grimes We were very fortunate to have several dignitaries available to open the seminar. Jeff Hutcheson Vice President IAAI Foundation JD Underwood Resident Agent in Charge, ATF Elections with Director Siembieda and Past President Burns. The seminar registrants are anxiously awaiting Wednesday and Thursday s speaker, Glenn Bard, from the Public Agency Training Council (PATC). Glenn spoke on cell phones, cell phone forensics, cell phone tracking and digital evidence seizure. His class had even the most seasoned investigator wanting to know more. 4

5 Wednesday s session was finalized with a wonderful bar-b-q, followed by dumby boards (games and fun time courtesy of Mike Whitsell and West Des Moines Fire) Installation of Officers with Iowa State Fire Marshal Director Ray Reynolds. Special Agent Jeff Shatzer of the Iowa State Fire Marshal s Office was the recipient of the Iowa Chapter IAAI Presidential Award of Excellence. Jeff has worked multiple types of investigations, as well as being involved in very complex cases. He was worked several serial arson investigations with great success. Jeff is an outstanding explosives technician and is respected for his knowledge and expertise. Congratulations for the well deserved recognition Jeff! During the Chapter s Annual banquet Life Members in attendance were recognized (Alan Clark 1993, Ted Strait 1996, Bill Hanson 1998, Dennis Chapman 2003) Special Agent Mark Sand with the Iowa State Fire Marshal s Office receiving the Governor s Award for Fire Arson Investigator of the Year Presenting the plaque is Interim DPS Commissioner Ponsetto. Jim Kenkel served as the Director of Investigation from He represented the Iowa Chapter at many fire schools in Iowa, as well as teaching at various events. In 2006 Jim again served the board filling a vacant slot until Since Jim s retirement from the Iowa State Fire Marshal s Office he has been serving at the Chapter s Audio/Visual Coordinator. It was with great honor the membership voted to recognize Jim Kenkel with the Iowa Chapter s Life Membership Award. 5

6 After dinner it was time for everyone to kick back a bit and enjoy themselves with the music from 176 Keys/Dueling Pianos. This performance required some audience participation. The fun filled atmosphere was the perfect ending to a wonderful evening. Friday s session was Steve Hamers (Independent Forensic Investigation Corporation). Steve s session focused on recent issues related to agricultural fire losses. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ARSON INVESTIGATORS IOWA CHAPTER MINUTES Annual Meeting of the General Membership September 19, 2012 The annual meeting of the General Membership of the International Association of Arson Investigators Iowa Chapter was called to order at Marriott, West Des Moines, Iowa at 8:30AM on September 19, 2012, pursuant to the notice sent to all members in accordance with the bylaws. Mark Crooks 1 st Vice President presided and Becky Nelson, Secretary/Treasurer, recorded the proceedings of the meeting. Roll call of officers: Chris VanVleet Excused Mark Crooks 1 st Vice President John Grier 2 nd Vice President Becky Nelson Secretary/Treasurer Greg Siembieda Director of Investigations Jeff Haler Director of Detection David May Director of Prosecution Zack Spykerman Director of Insurance - Excused Tony Collins Direct at Large West Andrew Burken Director at Large East The first order of business was from the nomination committee. Director Siembieda took nominations from the floor as well as nominations sent via . For the position of President. Mark Crooks was nominated. For the position of 1 st Vice President. John Grier was nominated. For the position of 2 nd Vice President. Becky Nelson was nominated. For the position of Secretary/Treasurer. Paul O Connell and Mark Dooley were nominated. For the position of Director at Large-West. Jeff Hutcheson and John Ticer were nominated. A motion duly made (Past President Hutcheson) and second (Member Cox) to cease nominations until the meeting reconvened September 20, 2012 was 6

7 accepted at this time. The meeting was recessed at 9:02 AM on September 19, The annual meeting of the General Membership of the International Association of Arson Investigators Iowa Chapter was reconvened at Marriott, West Des Moines, Iowa at 11:04 AM on September 20, 2012, pursuant to the notice sent to all members in accordance with the bylaws. Roll call of officers: Chris VanVleet President - Excused Mark Crooks 1 st Vice President John Grier 2 nd Vice President Becky Nelson Secretary/Treasurer Greg Siembieda Director of Investigations Jeff Haler Director of Detection David May Director of Prosecution Zack Spykerman Director of Insurance Tony Collins Direct at Large West Andrew Burken Director at Large East Becky Nelson gave the Secretary/Treasurer report: 230 members of our association Checkbook balance is $35, with $15, in CD s Motion made (Member Cox) to approve 2011 AGM Minutes as printed in Firefax and posted on website and seconded (Member Dooley). Motion passed unanimous. New members o Ben Stammeyer, Iowa City Fire o Brandon Sobalski, Iowa City Fire o Troy Roth, Iowa City Fire o Ted Hutcheson, Schaefer Engineering, Columbia, MO o Joe Rodriguez, Sioux City Fire o Cole Hippens, Ames Fire o Jim Christensen, North Sioux City Fire o Cory Benge, Ottumwa Fire o Travis Wuebker, Johnston Fire o Wade Markley, Marion Fire o Tim Hostettler, West Des Moines Fire Mark Crooks gave the 1 st Vice President report: Was primarily responsible for getting speakers for 2012 seminar. Has filled in for this conference for President VanVleet as he had a family emergency. John Grier gave the 2 nd Vice President report: 2013 Seminar will be in Ames. Still needing ideas for speakers for Chapter didn t receive any eligible scholarship applications for Achieved his IAAI CFI. Greg Siembieda, Director of Investigation report: Helped in the planning for the 2012 seminar. Was in charge of getting registration gift and board shirts. Looking for topics for lunch and learn. Took over role of web coordinator. Took over Awards Chairman position. Zack Spykerman gave the Director of Insurance report: During the Insurance sectional discussion on break out classes, burn cells, origin and cause classes from the basic to expert. Working on hosting an Expert Witness Testimony Class in 2013 as this years didn t go through. Andrew Burken gave Director at Large East report: Working on training for eastern Iowa, don t know for sure how long the class will be. Considering a day class, possibly a week day or a Saturday class. Jeff Haler, Director of Detection report: Helped with the planning for the 2012 conference. Tony Collins, Director at Large West report: Has worked to try to get more involvement from the membership west of Interstate 35. David May, Director of Prosecution report: Looked over some legal issues, to include contracts, for the good of the Chapter. Elections: Nominations for the following positions were announced: President: Mark Crooks. A motion duly made (Past President Clark) and seconded (Past President Hutcheson) to cease nominations was unanimously approved. 1 st Vice President John Grier. A motion duly made (Past President Clark) and seconded (Past President Hutcheson) to cease nominations was unanimously approved. 2 nd Vice President Becky Nelson. A motion duly made (Past President Clark) and seconded (Past 7

8 President Hutcheson) to cease nominations was unanimously approved. Director at Large-West. John Ticer respectfully withdrew his name. Jeff Hutcheson is the nominee for this position. A motion duly made (Past President Clark) and seconded (Secretary/Treasurer Nelson) to cease nominations was unanimously approved. A motion duly made (Past President Clark) and seconded (Past President Hutcheson) to have the Secretary cast a unanimous ballot for the uncontested positions. Motion unanimously passed. A secret ballot was cast for the position of Secretary/Treasurer and Paul O Connell was elected. A motion duly made (Director Spykerman) and seconded (Director Haler) to destroy the ballots. Motion unanimously passed. Director of Detection was held in sectional meeting with Jeff Haler being re-elected to the position. An inquiry was made as to any information for the good of the order: 1st Vice President Crooks read remarks from President VanVleet. The Presidential Award of Excellence was presented to Iowa State Fire Marshal Jeff Shatzer. Jim Kenkel was nominated for Life Member. A motion duly made (Secretary/Treasurer Nelson) and seconded (Director Siembieda) to grant the Life Membership Award to Kenkel. Motion unanimously passed. Member Kenkel stated the Fire Service Training Bureau will be getting a burn trailer and can be available for training opportunities. Contact Kenkel at the FSTB if interested. Past President/Site Selection Chair Clark has a signed contract for 2013 in Ames. Still working on possible sites for A motion made (Member Dooley) to pay Secretary/Treasurer s membership stipend at $4.25 per member and seconded (Director Siembieda). Motion unanimously passed. The next meeting of the General Membership will be held at the next Annual Seminar, at the Quality Inn & Suites, Ames, Iowa September 17-20, Times will be posted in the brochure for the 2013 seminar. There being no further business before the meeting, it was, in motion duly made (Member Cox and seconded (Director Siembieda), adjourned at 11:56 AM. Becky Nelson, Secretary/Treasurer Iowa Chapter IAAI Incorporated From the Desk of Director West Jeff Hutcheson, Continued suppression as a shift commander. I continued to attend as many fire investigation classes as possible and began building a network of associates, knowing that upon retirement I would like to remain active as a fire investigator for at least a few years. That opportunity presented itself just as I was looking at retirement and I could not be happier. It is rare that a person is able to spend a career doing exactly what he wants to do and then be able to continue that commitment into retirement. I feel very fortunate to be one of those lucky people. Okay, that s my story. Now, on to more important business. We had another successful AGM and Training Seminar in September with several very interesting and knowledgeable speakers. Your Board of Directors is already working hard to ensure that next year s AGM is just as successful. We are looking for topic suggestions and, if possible, speaker suggestion for those topics. You can send those suggestions to any of the Board members. All of those addresses can be found in this newsletter. I look forward to serving you for the next three years. Please feel free to contact me via at: jhutcheson@donan.com or call me at Jeff Hutcheson, Director West IAAI-CFI The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the IAAI or the Iowa Chapter IAAI. Please, if you have any suggestions for improvements or changes to the newsletter send me an at: bnelson@gmrc.com. Printed by Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company 8