Greater Cincinnati Fire Investigators Seminar 2026
About this Event
This is a two-day event (10/22 & 10/23) that offers optional tested continuing education for fire investigators of all experience levels.
Location - Evendale Recreation Center
Seminar cost is $125.00 for both days
Doughnuts, coffee, drinks and lunch is included each day.
Conference and Eventbrite inquires contact us at: [email protected] or # 513-623-5681.
Visit our website at www.gcrafis.org
A certificate of attendance will be awarded at the end of the second day of the seminar.
Those seeking tested hours must complete a written test on the second day of the seminar.
G.C.R.A.F.I.S. Federal ID # 31-1059434
Agenda
🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:15 AM
Opening Ceremony & Key Note Address
Thursday (10/22/26)
🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:15 AM
Opening Ceremony & Keynote Address (10/22/26)
🕑: 08:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Burn to Learn
Host: Jim Gault, IAAI CFI
Info: Jim Gault is the owner and principal fire investigator of TechniFire Services Company based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He recently retired from public safety after a distinguished 40 year career in both the fire service and law enforcement. He holds multiple professional designations from the IAAI. He is an active leader in the Tennessee Chapter of the IAAI. He currently serves on the IAAI Board of Directors. He chairs the Chapters Committee.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch
🕑: 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Burn to Learn Practical
Host: James Gault
Friday (10/23/26)
🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:05 AM
Remarks and Announcements (10/23/26)
🕑: 08:05 AM - 12:00 PM
Electrical Appliances
Host: Adam Roy, IAAI-CFI, CFEI
Info: Mr. Roy is a court qualified fire investigator and electrical expert with more than 25 years of experience in fire investigation and forensic engineering analysis. He joined Churchwell Fire Consultants Inc. in 2026 after conducting over 3000 investigations across the United States.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Recovery of Home Made Explosives in Southwest Ohio - Case Study
Host: Mike Grimes
Info: Specialist G. Michael Grimes is a 50-year veteran law enforcement officer with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office. He has achieved all ranks up to that of Captain. He is also the Bomb Squad Commander (FBI Certified Bomb Technician), and has been in that position for 45 years.
Additionally, he was a member of the Monroe Fire Department for 30 years, as it transitioned from Volunteer to Part-paid to Full Time personnel. There he served as a Firefighter, EMT, Investigator, retiring as a Lieutenant, after 30 years with the department.
In addition to being the Bomb Squad Commander, Specialist Grimes has been an Assistant Instructor in various ATF programs, to include Post Blast Investigation Techniques (PBIT), Homemade Explosives: Identify-Process-Dispose (HME – IPD), and Advanced Explosives Disposal Techniques (AEDT) Courses at the National Center for Explosives Testing and Research, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Cincinnati 471 Bridge Fire Investigation - Case Study
Host: Steve Metz, Specialist
Info: Specialist Steve Metz is an International Association of Arson Investigators Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) and a commissioned Ohio Police Officer with over 19 years of service with the Cincinnati Fire Department (CFD). For the past seven years, he has been assigned to the Cincinnati Fire Department's Fire Investigation Unit (FIU), where he has conducted hundreds of fire investigations involving residential, commercial, complex, and fatal fire incidents.
Throughout his investigative career, Specialist Metz has played a key role in numerous high-profile, multi-agency investigations within the City of Cincinnati, working alongside local, state, and federal partners. His experience in fire origin and cause determination, evidence collection, criminal investigations, and courtroom testimony, combined with the use of current technology and modern law enforcement investigative techniques, provides a practical and well-rounded perspective on today's fire and arson investigations.
Where is it happening?
USD 125.00
