53rd Annual

OCAAFII Origin & Cause Seminar

Dates: May 6–7, 2026
Location: Oakland County Community College – Auburn Hills, Michigan
Presenters: Brian Fine, IAAI-CFI, CFE (Retired Captain TX State Fire Marshal’s Office);

Erica Kelley, MA, LPC, CRC, LBSW (Licensed Mental Health Therapist)

Seminar Overview

The 2026 OCAAFII Annual Origin & Cause Seminar is designed to prepare fire investigation professionals and leadership with a powerful, multidisciplinary learning experience combining complex case analysis, firefighter fatality investigations, and investigator wellness. The topics were curated to equip attendees with the technical skill, operational mindset, and resilience needed for today’s demanding investigative environment.

Whether you are a firefighter, police officer, public or private fire investigator, fire marshal, command staff member, or attorney, this seminar offers critical insights that directly strengthen investigative accuracy, courtroom readiness, interagency coordination, and career sustainability. This year’s seminar provides an immersive experience led by instructors with decades of real world expertise. Attendees will gain practical strategies they can apply immediately!

Featured Training Sessions

Complex Scene Investigation & Management (8-Hours)

Through real case studies, including large scale fire and explosion incidents, participants will learn how to manage complex scenes, coordinate agencies, secure evidence, and develop investigative strategies aligned with NIMS, NFPA, and industry best practices. Attendees will analyze contributing factors that complicate investigations, strengthen documentation and interview processes, and build policies to improve future response and scene management.

Firefighter Fatality Investigations & Management (4-Hours)

Firefighter line-of-duty death investigations demand precision, sensitivity, and leadership. This session uses real world case studies to prepare investigators and agencies to manage fatality scenes, preserve evidence, coordinate with partners, and support affected departments. Participants will explore investigative methods, scene security considerations, and documentation strategies essential for fatality investigations.

Mental & Emotional Readiness for Fire Investigators (2-Hours)

Fire investigators operate in high stress environments marked by repeated exposure to fatalities, traumatic fire scenes, line-of-duty deaths, and litigation related stress. National data indicates that firefighters and fire investigators experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and suicide risk at rates significantly higher than the general population. In some recent years, more firefighters have died by suicide than in the line of duty. This session provides an evidence informed overview of PTSD, suicide risk, and cumulative and secondary traumatic stress within the fire investigation profession. The course integrates research and recommendations from trusted organizations including the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), and behavioral-health considerations commonly addressed within NFPA aligned training environments. Participants will examine the psychological impact of repeated traumatic exposure, identify warning signs of distress in themselves and colleagues, and learn practical strategies to support resilience, peer intervention, emotional management and coping skills along with early referral to professional care. Emphasis is placed on maintaining operational readiness, investigative accuracy, and long-term career sustainability while strengthening emotional wellness. 

THE PRESENTERS

Brian Fine is a seasoned fire investigator and public safety professional with more than 38 years of experience in fire and explosion investigation, law enforcement, emergency management, and forensic instruction. He has conducted over 1,000 fire investigations—including major incidents such as the West Fertilizer Plant explosion—and has led 28 firefighter line‑of‑duty death investigations.

Brian currently serves as a Certified Fire Investigator with the Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Special Investigations Unit and as a Lieutenant of Investigations with the Kaufman County Fire Marshal’s Office. His background includes senior leadership roles with the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office, where he oversaw statewide investigative operations, coordinated major incident responses, and managed the agency’s sUAS drone program.

Erica Kelley is a licensed mental health professional and founder of Evolution Counseling & Consulting, a Detroit-based practice providing therapy for adolescents and adults across Michigan. Erica is also an accomplished academic instructor and professional development facilitator. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in creating a safe space for clients to learn how to navigate stress, anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, and relationship challenges through practical, solution focused care. Her approach integrates evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution Focused Brief Therapy to help clients gain clarity, develop coping skills, and move toward meaningful change. Erica’s work is grounded in creating a supportive, confidential space where individuals can explore challenges, strengthen resilience, and develop personalized strategies for growth. She provides professional development workshops, individual, family, and group therapy with a focus on helping clients move from feeling overwhelmed or stuck to feeling empowered and equipped for the next stage of life.

Registration

2026 OCAAFII Annual Seminar
May 6–7, 2026
Oakland Community College—Auburn Hills Campus
Building G, Room 240

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In Memory of David Row

David Row was a Fire Investigator who, over the course of his career, served both the public and private sectors. After retiring as a Sargeant and Fire Investigator from the Oakland County Sheriff's department, he became a Fire Investigator for Liberty Mutual insurance. Throughout his long career as a Fire Investigator, Dave's passion was to always keep learning and to share his knowledge and experience with others. He was active in Fire Investigation training through Oakland Community College - CREST, Oakland County Association of Arson and Fire Investigators (OCAAFII) and many other organizations in Southeast Michigan. Dave retired in 2021, but still continued to share his knowledge with the Fire Investigation community until his untimely passing in July of 2022. Dave was a past president of OCAAFII, and always an active part of the OCAAFII Origin and Cause seminar—from finding us speakers (he knew just about everyone) to making up the flyers and organizing the rooms at OCC.  We hope that this seminar will be a fitting tribute to our long time friend, mentor, and fellow Fire Investigator Dave Row.

SPONSORS

For more information or to become a sponsor, please contact OCAAFII Secretary: Mitch Hart.