Fire inspector/Fire Investigator for Chandler Fire and Medical Department

15 Years as a Fire Investigator. 25 years total in the fire service.

10 years in the United States Army

25 Years National registered / Arizona State Paramedic

I have been in the fire service since 2000, spent 17 years in suppression before moving and promoting to a position to prevention. Served as the Fire Marshal for the City of Nogales and currently work for the Northwest Fire District, where I serve as a Fire Investigator. I have been an investigator since 2010 and have had the honor to have been elected to the board of the AZIAAI for three terms and most recently serve as first vice president.

Special Agent

AZ Attorney Generals Office

I was an arson detective for 20 years with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. As a SA with the

AGs office, I continue to serve by providing fire investigation assistance and support when

requested.

I hold a Master of Science Forensic Science degree from Oklahoma State University, with a

concentration on fire and explosion investigations as well as a Bachelor’s degree from the University

of Arizona

Fire Marshal for Bullhead City Fire District

I have been in the fire service for 22 years with 17 years as a fire investigator

Bachelor’s Degree from Arizona State University in Fire Service Administration

Master’s Degree From Grand Canyon University in Leadership: Emphasis in Disaster Preparedness & Executive Fire Leadership

Dector Celaya – ATF Special Agent Certified Fire Investigator (SACFI)

Dector Celaya joined ATF in 2001 and is currently assigned to the Arson and Explosives Group (Phoenix V) in the Phoenix Field Division.

As a Certified Fire Investigator, SACFI Celaya’s duties include conducting origin and cause investigations of fire and explosion incidents, investigating violations of arson and explosives laws, testifying as an expert witness in court regarding fire related matters and providing training or assistance to other law enforcement agencies and fire departments in the United States related to fire investigation matters.

SACFI Celaya holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice from Arizona State University and Graduate Certificate from

Oklahoma State University in Forensic Sciences - Arson, Explosives,

Firearms and Toolmarks Investigation. Special Agent Certified Fire Investigator Celaya has been an active member of the Arizona Chapter of IAAI for over ten years.

Term: 2023-2026

I am a 28 years student of the fire service, 19 of those years as a fire investigator. I currently am a Fire Captain for Fort McDowell Fire as well as a part time Fire Investigator/Inspector for Mesa Fire/Medical.

I currently hold certification as an IAAI-CFI, ECT, FIT as well as NAFI-CFEI. I have an Associates Degree in Public Administration as well as several National Fire Academy courses in various fire services disciplines.

I am humbled to be selected by my peers to serve on the AZ IAAI board to represent the great membership of our organization.

Term: 2022-2024

Background: Nate started his fire service career at the young age of 13 as an explorer cadet. When he turned 16 he was able to join the volunteer fire department responding to calls during school as well as when not in class getting an education. Nate started working on his associate degree in fire science attending college at night through front range community college with classes being taught by instructors at the Air Force Academy. Nate’s interest in fire investigations began after taking a Principles of Fire Investigation college class. Working closely with the fire investigator within the department his interest grew even more.

After High School Nate moved to Northern Colorado where he was able to Volunteer and help start the Northern Colorado Fire Investigation Team with multiple agencies in that area from 2003 to

2006. Nate completed multiple classes in fire investigations and completed his expert witness classes at the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, broadening his education.

In Late 2006 Nate ventured to Arizona to work for a Fire Department in the Pinal County Region.

While on and off shift Nate responded to multiple investigations as requested. Nate continued working multiple Fire Investigations while working for Eloy Fire District for 14 years as well as attending the

Arson I-IV series through a grant sponsored by The Pinal County Fire Chiefs Association. During that

time, he was also instrumental in helping create the Pinal County Fire Investigation Taskforce with other

investigators and mentors in that region while responding to fires and explosions for investigation within Pinal county.

Nate continues his fire investigation functions while working for Copper Canyon Fire and Medical District as the Fire Marshal and assisting the Investigators throughout the Verde Valley.

Nate believes that a solid foundation for learning starts with solid training programs and enjoys his functions within the International Association of Arson Investigators Arizona Chapter helping others learn about fire investigations.

Term: 2023-2026

Fire Inspector/Investigator

Prescott Fire Department

Prescott, AZ

Retired From:

Arson Detective

Chandler Police Department

Chandler AZ

Total years in fire investigation:

23 years

Graduate of National Fire Academy: Fire Investigation

Graduate of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms National Academy: Advanced Origin and Cause

International Association of Arson Investigators-Certified Fire Investigator since 2005

Term: 2022-2024

Term: 2022-2025

Fire Cause Investigator for Tucson Fire Department since 2019.

Joined Tucson Fire Department in 2015.

Term: 2022-2025

Fire Captain/ Fire Investigator Queen Valley Fire District

AZIAAI Board Member since 2020

7 years as Fire Investigator

21 years in the Fire Service

IAAI-FIT 2018

Pinal County Arson Task Force since 2019

Membership

Education and Training

Chapter Store and Sergeant At Arms

Finance

Communication

CFI Chair

Finance Member at Large

Bylaws

Awards and Historical