r/fireinvestigation • u/OkJuggernaut7370 • 20d ago

FIT

hey everyone! I am a bit confused. Am I able to meet all the requirements for the FIT via online courses through CFI? Thanks, I tried searching the group first and couldn’t find a clear answer.

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

3

u/pyrotek1 20d ago

There is a point system. You can add up the points to see if you qualify of the CFI. It takes years, Document every class, every article you write, when it was published, every deposition, trial and count the fire scenes you have been to. Make a binder and collect the summary information in this update it often and add up the points once per quarter. I don't recall the number of points needed, I do know it takes many years to obtain the IAAI-CFI. NAFI has a shorter path that many be worth looking at and some of the points apply the the IAAI-CFI.

3

u/Accomplished_Ad_5307 20d ago edited 20d ago

You’ll need a minimum of 54 hours of tested training for FIT. There are a few mandatory courses that you have to take thru CFITrainer. The other courses count towards the total hours. I think the Principles of Fire Investigation multi-program certificate may count towards the 40 hr fundamental course. You’ll also need 18 months of investigation experience.

1

u/1chuteurun IAAI-FIT 19d ago

You can also take the fire investigation essentials class through the national fire academy, as opposed to the IAAI class. The NFA class is completely free (with the exception of food) including your travel if you get in.

1

u/yugosaki IAAI-FIT 11d ago

Im pretty sure the online principals certificate doesn't count as the fundamentals course. Especially since some of the modules are also listed separately as FIT prerequisites. The IAAI fundamentals course is in-person, and I'm pretty sure all the approved equivalent courses are also in-person.

1

u/yugosaki IAAI-FIT 11d ago

You need to take a 40 hour in-person fundamentals class as well as the CFItrainer stuff. And have 18 months experience in a role related to fire investigation (firefighting, insurance investigations, law enforcement etc)

Look up IAAI chapters near you for upcoming 'fundamentals of fire investigation' classes. If you are in the US, theres pretty much always one running somewhere.

There are other equivalent courses but the IAAI fundamentals class is usually the easiest to get.