2 9 t h A n n u a l F i r e D e p a r t m e n t I n f o r m a t i o n C o n f e r e n c e
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2026 REGISTRATION OPEN
CLASSROOM WORKShOP
CLASSROOM WORKShOP
"Fire Investigation, An Introduction for Suppression Staff"
"Fire Investigation, An Introduction for Suppression Staff"
Jeff Clayton
Jeff Clayton
Sunday Morning 08:00 - 9:30
Saturday Afternoon10:00 - 11:30
Synopsis
This presentation will provide a general overview of why and how an investigation into origin and cause is completed. It will also provide guidance and information for fire suppression staff that work alongside municipal or provincial fire investigators. Much of the information provided will be validated with actual investigation files that have been closed by the presenter and will provide photographs to guide applicable discussion around related topics. An overview of the NFPA documents (1033, 921, and 1321) that guide fire investigators will be provided along with the importance of understanding applicable provincial legislation that allows for an investigation to be completed.
The presentation discusses the importance of NFPA 921 as a guiding document and the industry standard of using the scientific method to determine origin, cause, and circumstance of a fire. We will discuss subrogation and audience members will understand the investigation process from the viewpoint of the insurance industry. Fire effect and fire pattern recognition and determining the area of origin will be discussed for the purpose of educating the audience on preservation of data. Advice for suppression staff regarding overhaul of the fire scene and the importance of preservation of fire effects, fire patterns, and other items of evidentiary value will be provided.
Contents of firefighter witness statements will be discussed, and audience members will understand how these documents fit into the collection of data and the development of an origin and cause hypothesis. The presentation will also provide guidance and advice for chief officers that manage staff serving a dual role of suppression firefighter and fire investigator. The presentation will place emphasis on the importance of shifting your mindset from the action-oriented fire scene to the slow and methodical fire investigation.
Bio
Jeff Clayton is a born and raised East-Coaster, Jeff has been involved in the fire service since 1993 when he started as a cadet firefighter in Hantsport, Nova Scotia. He is a third generation Firefighter and prides himself in being a student of the job.
Jeff has had the privilege of teaching fire-ground operations internationally and throughout Canada. He holds numerous certificates from the Ontario Fire College and a certificate in Fire Service Leadership from Dalhousie University.
Jeff currently holds the rank of Captain and is assigned to a Rescue Company in a Southern Ontario fire department. He is also the Deputy Fire Chief in the town he resides in.
He is a National Association of Fire Investigators Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator who has been investigating the origin and cause of fires since 2016. He is a member of multiple Canadian and international fire investigation associations and has attended continuing education conferences in Canada and America and is the lead fire investigator for his paid-per-call fire department and is an Ontario Fire College adjunct instructor for the NFPA 1033 fire investigations class.
Determining Origin and cause of fires in order to ensure appropriate and targeted public safety messaging is a priority for Jeff.
Jeff has had the privilege of instructing in the fire service since 2009 and enjoys passing on the lessons he’s learned and teaching the basics of the job to engaged firefighters.
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