Marine Fire Investigation Training (RTS) | International Association of Marine Investigators

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Save the dateOctober 13 - 15, 2025 (EDT) Add to Calendar

Venue Location

Louisiana State Fire and Emergency Training Academy

6868 Nicholson Drive
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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Organizer

Organizer: International Association of Marine Investigators, Louisiana State Fire Marshals Office, Louisana State Fire and Emergency Training Academy

Phone: +1 5736919569

Contact Person: Nathan McGanty

Email: nmcganty@iamimarine.org

Event Details

IAMI & the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office are proud to offer training at this regional event, covering live burns on both recreational to commercial vessels. The training will include topics ranging from basic fire science and scene safety to in-depth fire investigations.

This hands-on training seminar focuses on a team approach to investigating all aspects of a boat fire. The training is open to law enforcement, fire service, insurance industry personnel, marine surveyors, and any investigators wanting to hone their skills in marine fire investigation.

This three-day tested training includes reviewing current NFPA 921 & 1033 guides and standards, investigator safety, marine-specific origin and cause investigation, vessel systems, detection and suppression systems, and legal issues and considerations.

Each team will conduct an actual post-fire investigation and prepare a report/case file to be presented to the class and attorneys.

Attendees should bring a laptop or tablet, camera, coveralls, & PPE. Notepads, pens/pencils, tape measures, and basic investigation tools will be provided.

Boats will be burned on-site in the days leading up to the training. Attendees should be aware that working in a post-fire environment poses several hazards, and it is their responsibility to wear the personal protective equipment with which they feel comfortable.

Practical Marine Fire Investigations (Hands-on live burns)
24 hours of tested training taking place over 3 days
100 attendees max
Bring your Safety Equipment
Bring your own laptop & Camera
Will focus on 921 & 1033
Sponsorships Available

CMI/CMFI Testing

We will be offering CMI/CMFI testing during this training event. Please review our website for requirements.

All applications for testing must be received by 9/30/2025 for review and processing. No applications will be accepted after this date.

Accommodations

We are pleased to have you attend our Marine Fire Investigations. We do not have room blocks, but here are several hotels near the training location.

Tru by Hilton
2562 Citiplace Ct, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Courtyard
2421 S Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
L'Auberge Casino
777 L'Auberge Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70820

Speakers

Bob Collins

Lieutenant at Normal IL Fire Department

Bob Collins

Lieutenant at Normal IL Fire Department

Bob Collins has over 25 years of experience in both the Fire Service and Law Enforcement. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. Bob began his Coast Guard career as an Engineer and Firefighter and moved into a Law Enforcement role in both the Maritime Security and Safety divisions. He has conducted hundreds of Coast Guard boardings and safety inspections on both recreational and commercial vessels. Bob has conducted inspections on and has assisted with the installation of vessel power plant, propulsion, and auxiliary systems. He attained numerous certifications over his Coast Guard career, ranging from engine room watch officer, Caterpillar, Cummins and Detroit marine engine analyst, Mercury and OMC outboard technician as well as boarding officer and command duty officer. He has twice attended the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Fire Academy and was a Damage Control Instructor. Bob has investigated fires and explosions on recreational and commercial vessels and structures, and facilities associated with the marine industry.

Bob is currently employed as a full-time Lieutenant/EMT and Fire/Arson Investigator on a municipal fire department in Illinois and has recently retired as a Police Officer and Criminal Investigator from multiple police departments in Illinois. Bob is certified as an Advanced Firefighter, Fire Officer, and an Arson Investigator through the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office. He is also a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators as well as a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator by the National Association of Fire Investigators. Bob has also obtained an Expert Witness certification from the International Association of Arson Investigators. As a criminal investigator certified in interview and interrogation, Bob has obtained numerous confessions, which have led to convictions in both state and federal cases. Currently, Bob is an instructor and consultant on matters of marine fires and explosions, and he has developed the basic marine fire investigation course that has been taught to UCSG investigating officers across the country.

Glen Lawson, CMI/CMFI

Principal Forensic Fire Specialist at Southern Forensic Services, LLC

Glen Lawson, CMI/CMFI

Principal Forensic Fire Specialist at Southern Forensic Services, LLC

http://www.southern-forensics.com/

Glen Lawson is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator as well as a Certified Marine Investigator. Mr. Lawson’s background includes fire service, law enforcement, and private industry work that spans over 24 years. Mr. Lawson served on local and state law enforcement levels before his time in the private industry with a major insurance carrier. Mr. Lawson is not only skilled in the public sector, but also in the insurance industry where he spent ten years with the SIU fire division of a major insurance company. During his tenure as an insurance professional, Mr. Lawson held the titles of fire investigator, and lead fire investigator, and participated in the leadership development program. Mr. Lawson has testified in both state and federal courts as an expert witness in both fire and marine investigations. Mr. Lawson has held certifications as a police officer, firefighter 1 and 2, fire inspector 1 and 2, HAZ-MAT, Certified Marine Investigator, Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator and LA Certified Fire Investigator. During his tenure as a state investigator, Mr. Lawson was selected as the 2004 LA Investigator of the Year through the LA Chapter of IAAI.
Mr. Lawson was a director for the International Association of Marine Investigators from 2013-2016.

Sponsors and Partners

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Tickets

RTS Registration

While we do offer Non-Member pricing, we encourage you to JOIN IAMI first and register as a member for a discounted price. The standard price does NOT include membership to IAMI. Please go to https://iamimarine.org/membership-information to apply for membership. No Refunds after August 31, 2025.

Member Price $400

Standard Price $500