Day 1- Fire Investigaton in Practice: Scene, Science, and Story (July 21, 2026)

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Fire Investigaton in Practice: Scene, Science, and Story

Day 1- Classroom - O&C Report Writing Class, Photography, and Evidence Collection classes. This class open to investigators of all levels. This is 8 hours of tested training.

Day 2- Fire Investigation in Practice: Scene, Science, and Story (July 22, 2026)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Day 2- Advanced O&C Course- Fire Investigation in Practice: Scene, Science, and Story

Complete this form only if you are interested in participating in the Scene Exam Groups and Case Presentations. This course is reserved for public sector investigators.

Investigators who would like to attend the Advanced O&C Skills Course must commit to attending all three days of training. Class size is limited to 30 participants.

Participants must email a copy of their CV to matthew.bussard@indy.gov. If a current CV is not available, participants must provide a brief Word document outlining relevant experience, training, certifications, and professional background, and email it to the same address.

Day 2- Advanced O&C Course - Participants are selected based on experience. This advanced course is designed as a comprehensive training and practical skills experience that incorporates numerous NFPA 1033 Job Performance Requirements (JPRs) for Fire Investigators. Participants will work collaboratively in small groups while also completing key investigative tasks individually to reinforce competency, analytical thinking, and documentation skills.

Each investigator will independently photograph, document, and evaluate the scene, and will prepare an individual Origin and Cause (O&C) Report based on their findings. Evidence recognition and collection activities will be conducted as a group to reflect real-world investigative team practices. Upon completion, individual case files will be submitted to Task Force staff for peer and technical review, providing participants with valuable feedback to support professional development and investigative accuracy.

This advanced program is not intended to exclude anyone from participation, but rather to challenge investigators through more complex and demanding fire scene scenarios reflective of what many are now encountering in the field today. The intent of this course is to push investigative thought processes, scene management, analytical skills, documentation, and case preparation beyond the basics and into the realities of today’s increasingly scrutinized investigative environment.

With the rapidly changing landscape of fire investigation, along with the growing technical and legal challenges presented by opposing experts and attorneys, it is critical that investigators are prepared not only to conduct a competent investigation, but also to defend their methodology, findings, and conclusions.

Basic Course- A second course is currently being planned specifically for those newer to the field of fire investigation, as well as investigators looking to continue sharpening and developing their core skill sets. Younger and less experienced investigators are absolutely welcome and encouraged to attend the classroom portion of this program. Exposure to these advanced concepts and investigative approaches can be extremely beneficial as they continue building their experience and preparing for future hands-on skill set burn exercises and practical training opportunities that will follow the completion of this course.

Instructor Cadre:

Fred Hackett has investigated over 10,000 fires over more than 40 years in the public and private sector fire investigations industry.

Cassandra Jones has been in law enforcement for 22 years, with the last 10 years as a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fire, and Explosives (ATF). She entered the ATF Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) Program in 2019 and currently holds a CFI certification through both ATF and International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI). She has also obtained a Master of Science Degree in Forensic Sciences, focusing on Fire Investigation. SA/CFI Jones is also a member of ATF’s National Response Team, which travels throughout the U.S. to assist in major fire investigation scenes. SA/CFI Jones has taught fire investigation related courses at the National Fire Academy, the ATF Academy and National Center for Explosive Training and Research, internationally for the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), and locally for agencies she works alongside. She is based out of Indianapolis, IN.

Ellen Michelin is a Senior Special Agent and Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). She is also an International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) certified CFI. Assigned as a full-time member of the ATF’s National Response Team (NRT), Dr. Michelin deploys across the country to assist in investigations into major fire and explosion incidents. In addition to her national role, she remains a resource for investigations across Northern Illinois and Northern Indiana. Dr. Michelin holds a Doctor of Forensic Science from Oklahoma State University and is an IAAI Certified Instructor who has delivered expert training to local, national, and international audiences. She also serves as an Executive Board Officer for the Will, Cook, and Grundy Counties Fire Investigation Task Force.

Matt Bussard is a Captain and Fire/Arson Investigator with the Indianapolis Fire Department with more than 30 years of fire service experience. He is currently assigned as the Fire Investigations Unit Training Officer. Captain Bussard holds fire investigation and instructional certifications through both the International Association of Arson (IAAI) Investigators and the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI), including IAAI-CFI, ECT, CI, and NAFI-CFEI, CVFI, and CFII. He has developed and instructed fire investigation onboarding programs, continuing education courses, live-fire investigative burns, and practical skills training for new and experienced investigators. Through his position with the Indiana Fire Investigation Task Force as an executive board member and member of the training cadre, Captain Bussard has coordinated regional training for fire investigators across Indiana and the Midwest. He a certified American Badass.

Steve Kaps is a career firefighter, fire investigator, and Compliance Officer with the Indianapolis Fire Department Fire Investigations Unit, with 39 years of experience in the fire and EMS industry. He has served as a fire investigator for 17 years and has worked hundreds of fire scenes involving residential, commercial, fatal, large-loss, and incendiary fires in both the public and private sectors, including subrogation investigations. He holds the IAAI-CFI, FIT, ECT, and NAFI-CFEI certifications. His work focuses on applying the Scientific Method in accordance with NFPA 921, investigator qualifications under NFPA 1033, and quality assurance and compliance practices outlined in NFPA 1321. As an instructor, he emphasizes practical field application, scene safety, fire pattern interpretation, and legally defensible investigative methodology grounded in real-world case experience.

Adam Brandlein is a Fire/Arson Investigator with the Pike Township Fire Department and formerly served as a Fire/Arson Investigator with the Wayne Township Fire Department. He has dedicated 25 years to the fire service, including 16 years as an officer assigned to the Fire/Arson Unit at Wayne Township Fire Department.

In addition to his fire service career, Adam served four years as a road officer with the Clermont Police Department, bringing extensive law enforcement and investigative experience to his work in fire investigations.

Throughout his career, Adam has conducted fire investigation training programs and live burn exercises, helping educate and prepare firefighters and investigators in the field of origin and cause determination. He is currently a Fire Investigation Technician (FIT) through the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI).

Adam also serves as the President of the Indiana Fire Investigation Task Force, where he continues to support fire investigation professionals and promote collaboration, training, and investigative excellence across the state.

Cade Berry is a Deputy Fire Marshal with the Pike Township Fire Department in Indianapolis, bringing over six years of professional experience in fire investigation and public safety. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire, Arson, and Explosion Investigation and a Master of Science in Safety, Security, and Emergency Management with a concentration in Homeland Security from Eastern Kentucky University.

He maintains multiple professional certifications, including NAFI-CFEI, NAFI-CFII, IAAI-FIT(v), IAAI-ECT, and Indiana Fire Investigator certification. He is an active member of the International Association of Arson Investigators, National Association of Fire Investigators, and the Indiana Fire Investigation Task Force, where he currently serves as Secretary.

Day 3- Fire Investigation in Practice: Scene, Science, and Story (August 20, 2026)

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Day 3- Fire Investigation in Practice: Scene, Science, and Story

Day 3- Case Presentations -

Each group will meet with their assigned instructor to discuss the completed technical reviews. These reviews will be conducted in their assigned group while still focusing on each participant’s individual Origin and Cause report.

Following the technical review process, investigative findings from the Day 2 scene examinations will be presented during a group case presentation. Each participant will be responsible for presenting a portion of the investigative process, reinforcing professional communication skills, case organization, technical accuracy, and courtroom-style articulation of findings.

The case presentations are open to anyone interested in observing the final presentations.

IAAI Fire Death Investigation Course (October 06, 2026)

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT

There will be a cost for this training. This training is an IAAI course and you will pay the IAAI fees. The IFITF is solely the event sponsor.

To register for this event, you must follow this link to the IAAI website: https://www.firearson.com/training/classes/special-classes/fire-fatality-investigations-10626-in/

IAAI Photovolic System Course (October 14, 2026)

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT

There will be a cost for this training. This training is an IAAI course and you will pay the IAAI fees. The IFITF is solely the event sponsor.

To register for this event, you must follow this link to the IAAI website:

https://www.firearson.com/training/classes/special-classes/photovoltaic-systems-721-2226-in/

Indiana Fire/Arson Investigation Task Force upcoming events

Day 1- Fire Investigaton in Practice: Scene, Science, and Story (July 21, 2026)

Day 2- Fire Investigation in Practice: Scene, Science, and Story (July 22, 2026)

Day 3- Fire Investigation in Practice: Scene, Science, and Story (August 20, 2026)

IAAI Fire Death Investigation Course (October 06, 2026)

IAAI Photovolic System Course (October 14, 2026)