07/16/08

 AZ IAAI

Presidents Message, February 2008

As your chapter president, it is a great pleasure to be president of what I consider to be the best chapter in the International Association. I would like to acknowledge the fine work of many members of the Arizona Chapter who have strived in making this organization what it is today and will be in the future.

 After the conclusion of a very successful Arson III we started this year off with a great seminar “Preparing Investigators for Depositions and Trial”. This Class was requested by our members. You can’t prepare enough learning the facts of your case. All the attendees benefited from this seminar. I think this certainly drove home how important your report and trial preparation really are, as well as preparation of your prosecutor or attorney 

We will be having an Education Committee meeting February 9^th In Chandler from 10-4, Chaired by Jeff Flocken. The purpose of this meeting is to bring everyone together to assist in improving the chapter education process and the quality of seminars offered by the chapter. We need your help updating Fire Arson II, III & IV. Board members, I-IV Coordinators (I-IV Coordinators are: Jeff Flocken Arson I, Daryl Rayburn  Arson II, Josh Friedman  Arson III & Bill Dickinson Arson IV), mentors past and present, past students are invited. Bring along your training and education ideas, as well as ideas for any seminars that you would like to see brought to Arizona.  We are also looking for ideas for seminars in 2009. I-IV Coordinators are: Jeff Arson I, Daryl Arson II, Josh Arson III & Bill Arson IV. The two day program of “ Fire Investigation for Company Officers and First Responders” is almost complete. If you have pictures you would like to have considered for the PowerPoint Presentation we would love to include pictures from around the state.  

This is our 30^th year and we are meeting on March 5^th to organize a way to celebrate this great occasion. We will be celebrating in Prescott at our 23^rd Annual Advanced Fire/Arson Seminar July 16-18,  Dan Madrzykowski with NIST will lecture on the Station Night Club, New Jersey Seton Hall University dormitory reviews and now added to the program the FDNY testing in a New York high rise & more.

 Fire/Arson IV is coming soon April 7-11 in Tucson, sign up and we will see you there. Thank you Bill Dickinson, for all your hard work past and present for coordinating, preparing teaching to outstanding Fire/ Arson IV program. We as a chapter can see where your passion is. Nice to have an attorney beat us like step children, but at least not when it counts. I have moved the Chapter meeting in Tucson to Friday April 11, directly after class. This will allow us to conduct a meeting without the issues to be dealt with of an ongoing class. We can also critique the program and review the student reviews at that time 

Following Fire/Arson IV the 59^th Annual IAAI training conference is April 25-May 2, in Denver, Colorado. As your President, I encourage all members to check it out since it is close and take the opportunity to experience an International conference. I have been fortunate enough to attend the last two conferences in Victoria and Denver; these are great educational as well as networking opportunities. A large contingent from Arizona would be great. Also please take time and request for an early ballot and vote. Your vote counts! 

As you can see our chapter has a premier training program of the IAAI. Many thanks to Education Chair Jeff Flocken for his hard organizing and bring many great speakers our seminars. I know many members are active in the preparation and presentation of these programs. My thanks go out to these members. 

Thank you Joe Sesniak for all your years of service as the Chapter Treasurer! Also thank you for your smooth transition to our new Chapter Treasurer Ted Campagnolo. Joes work on the international level is always valuable and appreciated. Thank you Ted for becoming our new treasurer, you are doing a great job! 

In closing I am requesting continued prayers for Frank Molina and his family. Remember if you have any needs, ideas or questions, please call me @ 623-229-0725.

 Sincerely,

Chapter President