Louisiana Chapter
 International Association
of arson Investigators 

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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Dear LAAI Members;


I just returned from the International Association of Arson Investigators Conference in Orlando, Florida and wanted to share with each of you some information that was discussed during the conference.

The Louisiana Chapter has approximately 47 members that are members of the IAAI and we had approximately 22 members attending the conference in Orlando, Florida. I would like to thank those members who attended the conference and I know that they got their money's worth of training. For those other chapter members that are not members of the IAAI, I would encourage you to consider becoming a member. The international has so much to offer regarding training through the web site. The IAAI also has a new certification known as IAAI-FIT (Fire Investigation Technician). This is a program designed for those investigators that do not yet meet the requirements to sit for the IAAI-CFI test. Currently you can participate in the FIT program without being a member of the international. I asked International Director Rick Jones (from our chapter) to have some materials available regarding FIT at our conference this year in order to explain the program and other programs to our members.

During the annual general membership meeting a few items were brought up and I would like to share those with you.

· Beginning in the fall of 2010 the international will start sending the Fire & Arson magazine out through the web-site. At first a hard copy and electronic copy will be sent to all international members.

· The international is in the progress of putting a DVD together titled First Responders Role in Investigation. A short version of the DVD was shown during the meeting and it appears that the information will be helpful to our first responders. Once completed a copy of the DVD will be given to each chapter with the intent to deliver the training to local fire departments.

· In 2013 the international is looking to bring the annual conference to the south. I spoke with the person in charge of the site locations for the international and asked if they considered New Orleans? He said that they looked at a few hotels in New Orleans but the price was too high for the rooms, so I got with Southern VP Darryl Sanders and asked him to make a few phone calls to see what kind of deal he can come up with. Before leaving Orlando Darryl had already made some phone calls and now we are waiting on a response. If Darryl can work his charm and get the price of a room in New Orleans below 100.00 a night we have a chance of hosting the international in 2013. If anyone else has some contacts with hotels in New Orleans and is willing to help, please let me know and I can put you in touch with Darryl Sanders.

· Based on the passing of a new by-law, retired members can now maintain the membership as “Retired Members” for just $25 a year. This new classification does not include the right to vote or a hard copy of the “Fire & Arson Investigator” magazine.

· Annually the IAAI would give $2.00 back to the local chapter for each international member in that chapter. The Board of Directors decided to eliminate that $2.00 rebate and use the money for a new program for all members that gives a $10,000.00 Accidental Death Dismemberment” policy to every active and “Life Member”.

· The future editions of NFPA 921 will have color photographs, which means the book will be thicker and also more expensive.

· The Louisiana Chapter prepared the meal for the Texas Hold'Em Tournament that was held on Monday night. Past President Marty Delaune and his cooking crew prepared the most delicious dish of red beans and rice with some Cajun sausage. Folks from around the world kept coming back for more of Marty's Cajun delicacy.

· The Louisiana Chapter was asked to prepare some good Cajun food for a tailgating party on Thursday night. This tailgating gathering was to celebrate the victory of 2nd Vice President Roger Krupp of the Illinois Chapter and to kick start Louisiana Director Rick Jones' campaign for re-election to the IAAI Board of Directors in 2011. Several other chapters kicked in money for this event. Again, Past President Marty Delaune did not let us down. Marty was able to get three sacks of crawfish (that had to be watched closely the entire week before boiling), made a big pot of chicken and sausage gumbo and served left over red beans and rice. For those who assisted in delivering, preparing, cooking and serving the food I want to Thank You. It could not have been successful without everyone's help. Watching those who never ate a crawfish before was a treat.

Southern VP Darryl Sanders will be putting on the southern training day in either late June or early July, 2010. The topic will be Meth Lab Fires. As soon as a date is secured information will be sent via e-mail to all members of the Louisiana Chapter as well as placed on the web-site.
Our annual conference looks like it will be in early October and the host city will be Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Executive VP David Hill is working on this year's conference and is trying to finalize the instructors. Once the date, location and instructors are finalized information will be sent out via e-mail as well as on the web-site to each member of the Louisiana Chapter.
As a reminder, please pay your dues on-line at www.laiaai.org . You can pay by credit card or by pay-pal. You do not have to have a pay-pal account to use this function. If you prefer, send your check to our PO Box. Our current mailing address is LAAI, PO Box 56455, New Orleans, LA 70156-6455.

Finally, I would like to give a big thanks to now IAAI Past President Bobby Schaal for the work he has done as CEO of the IAAI. President Schaal was able to help our chapter in so many ways during the time he served in that capacity.
If anyone has any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me or e-mail me.

Regards,
Randy Bruff
President LAAI