The First International Symposium on Fire Investigation (ISFI 2004)  concluded on June 30 at the British Fire Service College (BFSC), Moreton-in-Marsh, England and  cosponsored by NAFI, BFSC, and the NFPA, was an resounding  success. 

One hundred fifty delegates  from Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Trinidad, England, Scotland and US attended the three day scientific conclave.

Dr. Dougal Drysdale, an internationally renowned fire scientist from University of Edinburgh, presented the  keynote paper after opening remarks from Divisional Officer Bill Tucker (BFSC); Frank Florence (NFPA); and Pat Kennedy, CFEI, NAFI Chairman of the National Association of Fire Investigators,

Speakers from both sides of the Atlantic presented lectures on fire science research; comparisons of current fire and explosion investigation methodologies; forensic pathology; legal aspects of fire investigations; and fire

investigation training techniques. 

Two presentations of note were "New Research into the Nature of Wood Charring" by Dr. Vyto Babrauskas and "Arc-Mapping for Origin Determination" by Dan Churchward, CFEI and David Rider.

A black tie dinner held at the BFSC was the highlight social event of the Symposium.   NAFI Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Fire Service College Divisional Officer (Battalion Chief) and head of fire investigation training, Patrick Cox; ; London Fire Brigade Station Officer (Captain), Michael Beasley, CFEI; and NFPA Public Fire Protection Specialist Frank Florence for their diligent work in the planning and production of IFSI.  However, the real highlight of the dinner itself was the sight of NFPA 921 Committee Chairman, Dan Churchward, CFEI, resplendent in his Scottish kilt.

The Symposium was capped off by an open planning meeting NFPA Technical Committee on Fire Investigations (the 921 Committee).

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