History
History of the New South Wales Association of Fire Investigators
In the 1980’s a group of former policemen, who had all turned their hand to fire investigation and who were primarily working for insurance companies, banded together to form an association of like minded people. The group included Bruce Sainsbury, Greg Hancock, Bob King and Ian Beckitt. Bruce and Greg made contact with the American based International Association of Arson Investigators, and the group became Chapter 47 of that Association.
In the early years membership included academics such as Denis Barret, Rob MacMillan and Brian Grey, Fire Brigade representatives particularly from the newly formed Fire Investigation Unit including John Boath, Alan Easy, and Roger Bucholtz, and a handful of lawyers and insurance representatives.
The first Australian Arson Seminar was held in Sydney in 1988, featuring prominent American author and fire investigator John DeHaan. The second Australian Arson Seminar was held two years later once again with John DeHaan, this time accompanied by Monty McGill, Mark Wallace and Lee Cole, all prominent U.S. fire investigators.
The year 1990 also saw the birth of a Chapter magazine, “Firepoint”, with Ross Brogan as founding Editor. In 1994 the magazine became a national one, with newly formed IAAI Chapters formed in Victoria and Queensland joining in.
In 1995 there was a name change from “Association of Arson Investigators” to “Association of Fire Investigators”, in recognition of the fact that investigators were often examining accidental fires, and should not attend a fire scene with any preconceived notions as to whether a fire was accidentally or deliberately lit. In that year also Wal Stern became the editor of “Firepoint”, a position he has held ever since.
Over the years the NSW AFI has regularly held evening educational seminars, biennial major 2-3 day seminars, and the occasional test burns. The aim of the group has always been, and remains, to provide opportunities for education and training for people involved in fire investigation, and to provide them with networking opportunities.
NSW membership numbers are around 200, and national membership is around 400.
