South Carolina Chapter - International Association of Arson Investigators

10/21/2026

10/20/2026

Last night at our Annual General Meeting, Bud Thames and John Norton were made Life Members of the association. We would like to congratulate John Martin on completing his term as association president and welcome Brian Lovin as our new president.

Please welcome the rest of our new and returning board members. We look forward to the next year serving the association.

10/12/2026

Each day this week keep an eye on our page to see an instructor spotlight for the conference starting next week.

10/12/2026

Monday morning we will kick things off with our keynote speaker Ashley Ferris

On December 27, 2021, Retired LEO Agent Ashley Ferris was involved in a critical incident. Ferris had been working required overtime after her 10hr day shift when an active shooter began a shooting spree through Denver and Lakewood.

In approximately 45 minutes, the deranged individual traveled throughout the city of Denver and ultimately entered the neighboring city of Lakewood, shooting 7 individuals, killing 5, and engaging a total of 5 officers in gunfire. The shooter ultimately came into contact with Ferris and a gunfight ensued.

Ferris was struck by gunfire in her lower abdomen, just a millimeter from her femoral artery, but the shooter was neutralized. Seriously wounded and on the ground, Agent Ferris continued fighting and shot and killed the suspect, ending his murderous rampage. Ferris was the 7th and final individual shot by the suspect.

The gunfight is only one part of the story. Had Ferris not been required to work overtime and faced the encounter that night, she had plans to take her own life that evening at home.
This incident changed Ferris' life for the better. Ferris now shares this story entitled A Fighting Chance to help LEOs, other first responders, and the general community identify and combat signs of depression while developing resiliency through a focus on their greater purpose. Ferris shares a detailed account of the investigative piece of this critical incident, the impact of training on a critical incident, her efforts to recover, a battle with mental health, leadership successes and failures, and resiliency found through a focus on purpose. Ferris also includes considerations of peer support, tactical medical care, and post-critical incident management.

10/12/2026

Monday Afternoon 10/19/2026

LEO HERRMANN

Hidden in Plain Sight: Technical Analysis of Fireplace and Chimney Fire Failures is an advanced training program that examines how concealed defects, improper installations, altered venting systems, and maintenance deficiencies in fireplace and chimney systems can lead to residential fires. Through real-world case studies, fire investigation principles, code and standard analysis, and technical system evaluations, the course teaches attendees how to identify hidden hazards, understand fire failure mechanisms, and apply NFPA 211, NFPA 921, manufacturer installation requirements, and listing standards during origin-and-cause investigations and forensic evaluations.
Bio:
Leo Herrmann is a fireplace and chimney fire investigation consultant with over four decades of hands-on experience across all aspects of the hearth industry. His background includes the sale, installation, service, and troubleshooting of wood, gas, pellet, and coal-burning appliances, as well as the design and construction of both masonry and factory-built fireplace and chimney systems.

Mr. Herrmann has extensive experience in the installation and service of prefabricated (factory-built) fireplaces and chimneys, having worked with thousands of systems throughout his career. He has also installed thousands of UL-listed stainless steel and cast-in-place chimney lining systems for solid fuel, oil, and gas appliances. His combined field experience provides a comprehensive understanding of system design, component interaction, and failure modes.

A recognized authority on inspection standards, Mr. Herrmann has performed over 40,000 chimney inspections in accordance with NFPA 211, including Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 evaluations. His Level 3 inspections involve invasive and destructive examination to expose concealed conditions, establish proximate cause, and document construction deficiencies where system failure or fire damage is suspected. He has conducted thousands of inspections related to real estate transactions, where compliance with local municipal requirements is critical.

Mr. Herrmann is actively involved in the development and refinement of national fire safety standards through participation in NFPA technical committees, with specific emphasis on NFPA 211 (Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances) and NFPA 31 (Standard for the Installation of Oil-Burning Equipment). His committee involvement provides direct insight into the intent, application, and interpretation of these standards, which he applies in both field investigations and expert analyses.

In his role as a forensic consultant, Mr. Herrmann has investigated hundreds of structure fires across more than 25 states. He provides expert analysis and litigation support to attorneys and insurance carriers, with a focus on origin and cause determination, code compliance, and installation deficiencies. His unique combination of field installation expertise and forensic analysis allows him to identify improper construction practices, missing or incompatible components, and deviations from manufacturer instructions and industry standards.