August 7 – Students from 12 different agencies in Minnesota and North Dakota took part in the second part of the Fire Investigation Technician class at the Emergency Response Training Center in Duluth. The course was presented by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office in cooperation with the Duluth Fire Department and Lake Superior College. According to class organizers, the course involved hands-on training ranging from photography skills, vehicle fire investigation, and structure fire investigation. Back on July 31, Conex box configurations were set up to simulate six room and contents fires. As part of the exercise, the rooms were set on fire under the supervision of the State Fire Marshal’s Office and instructors from the Emergency Response Training Center. Today, students conducted scene examinations, interviewed possible suspects, and worked in teams to determine the causes of the fires. The first part of the course was conducted earlier this year and consisted of classroom presentations involving investigative techniques as well as rules and regulations.
