NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FIRE PREVENTION OFFICER’S

FIRE INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE

September 23, 2005 – Napa

 In Attendance:

Ron Branigan- Woodland Fire Department

Vern Canon- Nevada County Consolidated Fire District

General Discussion:

We had our usual door busting attendance at the committee meeting.

General discussions included the upcoming CCAI Board Meeting and our on-going efforts to establish a list serve for investigators and a Courtroom Testimony class for sometime later this year.

As previously noted, we really would like and need more participation in the committee. If you cannot participate in the committee and you have ideas that will further our efforts in fire investigation, please do not hesitate to contact either co-chair.

Respectfully Submitted,

Vern CanonCo-Chair Fire Investigation Committee
Nor-Cal FPO’s

Note: I did attend the CCAI Board meeting in San Luis Obispo this past weekend. My presentation was basically intended to be an introduction to the efforts of our committee. I talked about our committee goals. We did have a longer discussion on the proposed list serve and the possibility of CCAI or the SFM assuming the overall responsibility for the existing LA Fire Marshal's Arson Net with several individuals from the north and the south being responsible for day to day operations. They seemed receptive to the idea but I think we still have a lot more work to do.

CCAI is considering proposing Legislation with Senator Soto from Ontario that would require a $1.00 surcharge for each property insurance policy that is issued in California. This money would used to further training of fire investigators. CDF may be proposing similar Legislation but the feelings are that local agencies may not share in the funds. This is a very preliminary effort as many things, such as who would be responsible for distribution of the money, still need to be worked out. They would like to ensure that the distribution of the money includes local agencies and just not the well-known State agencies. Obviously they would like our help in this task and I will be contacting our Legislative Committee for their guidance.

Although it was a very long drive for a fairly short meeting, I think it was important that we attend and continue to attend their Board meetings in the future.

Please call or send me an email if you have any questions. If you would like me to either make a formal presentation or a written report to our Board, let me know.


Vern Canon, BC/Fire Marshal
Nevada County Consolidated Fire District
11329 McCourtney Road
Grass Valley, CA 95949

(530) 274-4707
FAX (530) 271-0812