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VOLUME 27 NOVEMBER 2014 ISSUE 2

FROM THE DESK OF

Becky Nelson

1ST VICE PRESIDENT & FIREFAX EDITOR

Another successful annual train-ing seminar has come and gone. The 32nd Annual Fire Investigation Seminar and Annual Meeting was held at the West Des Moines Mar-riott, West Des Moines, Iowa. Our attendance numbers were compa-

rable with last year; however, I want everyone to know we pro-vide attendees the opportunity to test at the end of the seminar. If you need “Tested” training hours for certification renewals, there is no better organization to give you top quality speakers and training for the low fee the Iowa Chapter charges. I think it goes back to our slogan of a couple of years ago, “MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK”. Next year’s seminar will be held in Davenport. The Offic-ers and Board Members are al-ready working on putting together another quality seminar. If you have topics you would like cov-ered or training you are in need of, please contact Zack Spyker-man, 2015 Seminar Chairperson.

I would like to thank the member-ship for the nomination and elect-ing me to position of 1st Vice Pres-ident. I have had the pleasure of

serving the Chapter since 2004 as an Officer and I am looking for-ward to working in my new role. I will continue to serve as Firefax Editor, but would encourage any-one who has an interest in serving as Firefax Editor or in any other positon to let President Grier know. I know everyone has time constraints, whether it is for pro-fessional or personal reasons, but whatever time you could volunteer to the Chapter will help it continue to grow into the organization that continues to represent the best in the State of Iowa. As Chairperson for the 2014 seminar I appreciat-ed the help and support I received from the Officers and Board Members in the planning and preparation for the seminar.

Here is a word from your new Of-ficers/Directors.

LUNCH AND LEARNS

Secretary/Treasurer Paul O’Connell and Past Director Tony Collins taught “First Responders Role in Fire In-vestigation” in Ankeny and West Des Moines in conjunction with MAFIT. If you are interested in sponsoring a Lunch and Learn in your area, please contact your local Director at Large.

Director at Large East, Kurt Blackburn f615@ci.davenport.ia.us Director at Large West, Jeff Hutcheson jhutcheson@donan.com

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FROM THE DESK OF

John Grier

PRESIDENT

Greetings!

First and foremost, thank you for the opportunity to serve as your president for the upcoming year. It is both my honor and privilege to do so. I am truly humbled and sincerely appreciate the confi-dence you have placed in me.

Secondly, I want to thank the in-coming and outgoing board members for their service to the organization – you all “walk the walk.”

Finally, our organization is only as strong as the members who make it up. I encourage each of you to get involved. If you have knowledge to share or there is an area that interests you, please let a board member know. Your voices will continue to shape and guide the organization into the fu-ture.

I look forward to another great year and hope you will join me in strengthening our organization by being involved, recruiting new members and encouraging oth-ers to do the same.

FROM THE DESK OF

Zack Spykerman

2ND VICE PRESIDENT

Greetings members!

First off I’d like to thank you all for electing me to the position of 2nd Vice President I am looking for-ward to the upcoming year!!

I thought I would take a moment to introduce myself to the mem-bers who may not know me. My wife Tracy and I and our children Mya and Dane reside in Nevada, IA where my wife works as an accountant and the kiddos keep us busy with every sport that is offered! I have worked as an in-vestigator with Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company since 2001. My primary focus is origin and cause investigation in Iowa and surrounding states. Addition-ally through Grinnell Mutual I am involved with a team that does burn cell research and classes throughout the Midwest.

I also just finished my 9th year on the Iowa Chapter Board of Direc-tors as Director of Insurance and have passed that torch to G. Ter-ry Smith who will do a tremen-dous job.

As far as the upcoming year, the board and I will be busy planning an informative and educational seminar in Davenport, Septem-ber 2015. I would encourage you to be on the lookout for different speakers or topics that you would

like to see presented. I know some of the best speakers we have had have come from indi-viduals seeing the presentation at other seminars. If you have ideas or topics do not hesitate to contacts me via email zsykerman@gmrc.com.

Also be on the lookout for up-coming training such as lunch and learns and if you have or know of upcoming training that the membership would be inter-ested in, forward it on and we can get it on the website. One of my goals for this year will be to have an Expert Witness class in the spring of 2015 in Ames. We will be putting that together and as soon as everything is finalized an email will be sent out. Re-member the class is only open to eight people at a time and is de-signed for people who need the “testimony portion” to take the IAAI CFI exam.

I would also encourage everyone to stay active in your chapter, I know it’s something that is al-ways said, but it is true. If you have ideas of how things can be done different or ways to improve the chapter I am all ears, just drop me an email. Another thing that is always appreciated by the Firefax editor is articles. There are always interesting things that we all see out there on fire scenes that we can pass along to help everyone become better in-vestigators.

Congratulations to

IAAI newest CFI Special Agent Joe Lestina, Iowa

State Fire Marshal.

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FROM THE DESK OF

Paul O’Connell

SECRETARY/TREASURER

I would like to thank the Iowa Chapter IAAI membership for re-nominating and voting for me to continue as your Board Secre-tary/Treasurer.

Being in this seat for the last two years has given me the ability to meet new people and become more involved in an organization and job I love. Please do not hes-itate to contact me if you have any questions about the chapter and please let me know if you have any trainings taking place in your area that I can place on the Iowa Chapter website or email out to the membership. Please continue to use the website and remember we have made it easy for you to renew your member-ship online with a credit card. Vis-it www.iowaiaaichapter.org for in-formation and details.

FROM THE DESK OF

Kim Shepherd

DIRECTOR OF PROSECUTION

Ms. Shepherd is the newly elect-ed Director of Prosecution. Kim is an Assistant County Attorney with the Scott County Attorney’s Office in Davenport, Iowa. She is a graduate of Iowa State Univer-sity and the University of Iowa, College of Law. She has been a prosecutor for ten years and has been prosecuting arson cases for five years. She has attended over twenty hours of specialized train-ing in the area of arson prosecu-tion through the National District Attorneys’ Association and has presented on the topic of “Crimi-nal Law Aspects of Arson Cases” at the State Fire Marshal’s annu-al two week fire investigation school for the past four years.

FROM THE DESK OF

Terry Smith

DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE

Terry Smith was born and raised in the northern Iowa community of Swea City. He spent 19 years as a property/casualty insurance agent in the family insurance business. Terry was with the Swea City Fire Department for 23 years, retiring as Chief when he left Iowa to take a position with the Illinois Fire Service Institute at the University of Illinois. He was the director of Investigation and Prevention at IFSI where he taught in, and coordinated the Fire/Arson Investigation program in Illinois. Retiring from the uni-versity in 2002, Terry accepted a position as a fire investigator with EFI Global, and continues in that capacity. Mr. Smith has been an IAAI-CFI since 1996.

R.C. HENTGES SCHOLARSHIP

In 1997, the Iowa Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators created the R.C. Hentges Scholarship Program in honor of Reynold C. Hentges, 1st President and Life Member of the Iowa Chapter when it was reorganized in 1983. The program is funded by the Iowa Chapter and is awarded to a student that is en-tering an accredited college within the State of Iowa that is majoring in the Fire Service, Law Enforcement, Legal (prosecution), Fire Protection Engineering, Fire Protection Technology or Insurance (investigation) professions.

Don’t Let This Money Go To Waste! Please Have Your Scholar Apply Today!

Applicant Does Not Have To Be A Member Of The Iowa Chapter IAAI Inc.

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 32ND ANNUAL FIRE INVESTIGATIONS SEMINAR AND MEETING

The seminar began on Tuesday with the preparation for the attendees and vendors. The continued support and dedication of the vendors and coffee break sponsors are what allows us to provide the high quality training and education we do.

Thank you to our supporters:

Armstrong Forensic Laboratory, Inc., Arlington, TX

Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave, P.C., Des Moines, IA

Brown Engineering Company, Des Moines, IA

Donan Engineering Co, Inc., Omaha, NE

Duane A. Wolf Engineering, P.C., Ames, IA

Fire Investigation Specialists, Inc., Omaha, NE

Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, Grinnell, IA

Independent Forensics Investigations Corporation, Urbandale, IA

JLM Shooter Supply, Urbandale, IA

On-Site Engineering, Inc., Prior Lake, MN

Pyr-Tech, Inc., Collinsville, IL

Watch House International, Shawnee, KS

The Chapter would also like to thank the continued support of the Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau who pro-vides all of the Chapter’s Audio/Visual needs at the seminar.

Tuesday night class was well attended. The class, Insurance for Fire Service & Law Enforcement Investigators was taught by Past President/Life Member Alan Clark, AVP of Special Investigations at Grinnell Mutual Rein-surance Company.

Wednesday morning began with opening ceremonies and right into morning class. Attendees had the option of attending Basic Fire Cause Determination taught by Di-rector Jeff Hutcheson, Fire Investigator, Donan; and Io-Iowa State Fire Marshal John Ticer or Fire Growth and Development and its Ef-fects on Origin Determina-

tion Based on Ventilation taught by Peter Dahl, Dahl & Associates, Inc.

Wednesday afternoon continued with speakers Hutcheson, Ticer and Dahl, with Mr. Dahl teaching on Explo-sions & How the Debris Field can Assist in Origin Hypothesis Development.

Thursday morning the attendees learned about Emerging Trends in the Investigation of Insurance Claims from Matthew Smith, Smith, Rolfes & Skavdahl Company, L.P.A., followed by the annual meeting and election.

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Thursday afternoon Mr. Smith taught on Combating the CSI Mystique: The Effect of Television and Movies on Claims Investigation and Courtroom Testimony.

Thursday night was the annual banquet where your new Officers and Directors were sworn in and prestigious awards were given.

At left, Clayton Miller was presented the Reynold C Hentges Memorial Scholarship.

Justin Wade, at right, Special Agent, Iowa State Fire Marshal was presented the Governor’s Award for Arson Investigator of the Year 2014 by State Fire Marshal Jeff Quiggle.

At left, Dennis Day, Senior Vice President/Secretary/General Counsel for Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company was honored with the 2014 Presiden-tial Recognition Award for outstanding contributions to the suppression of ar-son in Iowa.

“This award is usually reserved for an arson investigator but Dennis more than met the qualifications,” said 2nd Vice President Becky Nelson, who nom-inated Day for the award. “Dennis has personally dedicated over 25 years to the Iowa chapter. He also supports his staff members in serving as IAAI leadership both locally and internation-ally. Combined, members of his staff have served as chapter board members and officers for more than 33 years.”

Alan Clark was presented with a Life-time Achievement Award.

Clark was instrumental in leading the Iowa Chapter since its reorganiza-tion in 1983. He served as secretary/treasurer from 1983 to 1989, two terms as president from 1989 to 1991, and as a board member from 1992 to 1993. In 1993 he was voted a life member of the organization. For over two decades he worked as seminar site selection chairman and continues to mentor chapter members.

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Dennis Chapman was also presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Dennis has been a member since 1988. He served on the Board of Directors from 1993 to 1997. He served three terms as Presi-dent from 1997-2000. He served as 1st Vice President from 2006-2009. In 2003 Chapman was voted in as a Life Member. Dennis has contin-ued to serve as Seminar Chair for many years and continues to mentor and help with seminar preparation.

Friday morning Director David May and Past Director Sean O’Brien, Bradshaw Law Firm, taught on Civil Litigation for the Fire Investigators.

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ARSON INVESTIGATORS IOWA CHAPTER

MINUTES

Annual Meeting of the General Membership

September 10, 2014

The annual meeting of the General Membership of the In-ternational Association of Arson Investigators – Iowa Chapter was called to order at West Des Moines Marriott, West Des Moines, Iowa at 8:55 AM on September 10,

2014, pursuant to the notice sent to all members in ac-cordance with the bylaws.

Mark Crooks President presided and Paul O’Connell, Secretary/Treasurer, recorded the proceedings of the meeting.

Roll call of officers:

Mark Crooks –President John Grier – 1st Vice President Becky Nelson – 2nd Vice President Paul O’Connell – Secretary/Treasurer Greg Siembieda – Director of Investigations Jeff Haler – Director of Detection David May – Director of Prosecution Zack Spykerman – Director of Insurance Jeff Hutcheson – Direct at Large – West Kurt Blackburn – Director at Large – East

The first order of business was from the nomination com-mittee. Director’s Blackburn and Spykerman took nomina-tions from the floor as well as nominations sent via e-mail.

For the position of President. John Grier was nominated.

For the position of 1st Vice President. Becky Nelson was nominated.

For the position of 2nd Vice President. Zack Spykerman was nominated.

For the position of Secretary/Treasurer. Paul O’Connell was nominated.

A motion duly made (Director Hutcheson) and second (Member Fraser) to cease nominations until the meeting reconvenes September 11, 2014 was accepted at this time. The meeting was recessed at 09:03 AM on Sep-tember 10, 2014.

The annual meeting of the General Membership of the In-ternational Association of Arson Investigators – Iowa Chapter was reconvened at West Des Moines Marriott, West Des Moines, Iowa at 11:09 AM on September 11, 2014, pursuant to the notice sent to all members in ac-cordance with the bylaws.

Roll call of officers:

Mark Crooks –President John Grier – 1st Vice President Becky Nelson – 2nd Vice President Paul O’Connell – Secretary/Treasurer Greg Siembieda – Director of Investigations Jeff Haler – Director of Detection David May – Director of Prosecution Zack Spykerman – Director of Insurance Jeff Hutcheson – Direct at Large – West Kurt Blackburn – Director at Large – East

Paul O’Connell gave the Secretary/Treasurer report:

193 members of our association, 15 Life Mem-bers

Checkbook balance is $46,458.01 with $16,016.21 in CD’s, $25 in Savings and $1,429.59 in PayPal.

Motion made (Member John Nordyke) to approve 2013 AGM Minutes as printed in Firefax and

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posted on website and seconded (Member Curtis McKeon). Motion passed unanimous.

29 New members for 2014 Curtis McKeon, Council Bluffs FD Martin Moore, Council Bluffs FD Daniel Roberts, Council Bluffs FD Clinton McFarland, Iowa City FD Dan Choudek, Onsite Engineering Dorin Smith, Des Moines PD Matthew Andersen, Waterloo Fire Rescue Jessica Winter, Urbandale PD Doug Harms, LeMars Fire Rescue Christopher Vesey, West Des Moines PD James Kuticka, Kuticka Fire Investigations Kyle Priest, Bettendorf FD Phillip Newton, City of Carter Lake Christopher Jones, Marshalltown PD Jeremy Pickett, EMC Insurance Stuart Wilson, City of Urbandale Ryan Lossi, Davenport FD Josh Humphrey, Iowa County Emergency

Manager Aaron Kester, Story County Sheriff’s Office Curtis Cecak, Marshalltown FD Matthew Snyder, Nevada Public Safety

Department Collin Wellsandt, Iowa City FD William McDonald, Bettendorf FD Scot Ely, Glenwood FD/ DCI Jonathan Lund, Des Moines FD Terry Parks, EFI Global Sonny Alvarez, Davenport FD Frank Fulton, Sioux City FD James Samack, NEFCO Fire Investigations

Mark Crooks gave the President report: Attended the International IAAI Annual conference Thank you to the Iowa Chapter for paying for his at-

tendance there

John Grier gave the 1st Vice President report: Attended many of the Iowa Chapter Board meet-

ings

Becky Nelson Worked on planning for the 2014 Seminar in-

volving speakers and travel arrangements The Firefax will continue to come out quarterly Was part of the site selection for the 2015 and

2016 Seminars

Greg Siembieda, Director of Investigation report: Attended Board meetings Worked on procuring the 2014 seminar awards Continue working on the webpage

Zack Spykerman gave the Director of Insurance report: Attended Board meetings Attended the International IAAI Annual Confer-

ence in Las Vegas

Involved with training burn cells in Spencer, Dubuque and Grinnell. The Iowa Chapter sponsors these trainings.

Had an Expert Witness class last November and anticipate another in May 2015. Will send an email out, there are only 8 spots available for these classes.

G. Terry Smith will be the new Director of Insur-ance

Kurt Blackburn gave Director at Large – East report: Took over the position last year Davenport hosted a Lunch ‘n Learn led by Sec-

retary/Treasurer O’Connell and Member Tony Collins involving response to fires by 1st re-sponders.

Will also be having another class taught by the County Attorneys

Get ahold of me if you want to do a Lunch ‘n Learn

Jeff Haler, Director of Detection report: Attended as many Board meetings as I could Gave input on the 2014 Seminar On the site selection committee.

Jeff Hutcheson, Director at Large West report: Was a quiet year on the western half of Iowa. Attended the International IAAI Annual Confer-

ence. Completed 3 years of being on the IAAI Foundation Board and has been nominated for another 3 year term.

Going to try and do Lunch ‘n Learns in SW Iowa. Past President Chris Van Vleet has been nomi-

nated for a Director’s position in the Interna-tional IAAI Board. I want to encourage all members to support Chris in his campaign.

November 10-11, 2014 there is a training confer-ence in Council Bluffs.

David May, Director of Prosecution report: Attended Board meetings. Went to Denver for ATF Arson for Prosecution

class. No legal issues in the chapter this year. Kim Shepherd will be the new Director of Prose-

cution.

Elections:

Nominations for the following positions were announced: President: John Grier. 1st Vice President – Becky Nelson. 2nd Vice President – Zack Spykerman. Secre-tary/Treasurer- Paul O’Connell. A motion duly made (Member Tony Collins) and second-ed (Member Terry Johnson) to cease nominations was unanimously ap-proved.

A motion duly made (Member David Schipper) and se-conded (Member Terry Olson) to have the Secretary cast a unanimous ballot for the uncontested positions. Motion unanimously passed.

Director of Insurance was held in sectional meeting with G. Terry Smith being elected to the position.

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Director of Prosecution was held in sectional meeting with Kimberly Shepherd elected to the position.

An inquiry was made as to any information for the good of the order:

Director Hutcheson encourages member support and participation in your organization.

Member Mike Whitsell appreciates the PayPal op-tion for membership renewal and seminar regis-tration.

Director Blackburn encourages all members to become an International IAAI member. It’s a great tool for training, using CFITrainer.net, plus it is a tax write off.

A motion made (2nd VP Nelson) to pay Secre-tary/Treasurer’s membership stipend at $4.25 per member and seconded (Member G. Terry Smith). Motion unanimously passed.

CTK Group will be in Council Bluffs for a class on November 17-19, 2014. Secretary/Treasurer O’Connell will send an email out with more infor-mation. Please send any training opportunities to Secretary/Treasurer O’Connell to be placed on the website or emailed to membership.

The Constitution/By-Law Committee Chair Jeff Hutcheson brought forth a By- Law change that was sent out to the

membership through email and the Firefax magazine ac-cording to Article VIII, section 1 of the Iowa Chapter IAAI, Inc. Constitution and By-Laws. The recommended change is to Article III, section 1, subsection A, to change “the two (2) years immediately prior to nomination for po-sition” to “at least the previous 24 months” and subsection B, so it states “Must be a member of the IAAI, Inc. or im-mediately join upon election.” The question was asked why the change and Director Hutcheson explained the reason is so a person nominated for position has been a member for the 24 months directly prior to the nomination and not just two years many years ago and just started to become a member again. A motion was made by Life Member/Past President Alan Clark to accept the By-Law change, seconded by member John Nordyke. Motion unanimously passed.

The next meeting of the General Membership will be held at the next Annual Seminar, at the Radisson, Davenport, Iowa September 15-18, 2015. Times will be posted in the brochure for the 2015 seminar.

There being no further business before the meeting, it was, in motion duly made (Member John Nordyke) and seconded (Director Siembieda), adjourned at 11:39 AM.

Paul O’Connell Secretary/Treasurer Iowa Chapter IAAI Incorporated

Plan to attend the Iowa Chapter Fire Investigation Seminar and Annual Meeting

at the Radisson – Davenport, Iowa September 15 – 18, 2015

Plan to attend the Iowa Chapter Fire Investigation Seminar and Annual Meeting

at the Mid American Center – Council Bluffs, Iowa September 20-23, 2016

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 e-mail at: bnelson@gmrc.com.

Printed by Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company