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Congratulations to our FACAP 2022 Award Recipients
Public Sector Investigator of the Year - Jeff Clare
Private Sector Investigator of the Year - Paul Haas
Lifetime Membership Award - Chris Porreca
Jerome F. Gant Public Service Award - Joe Pietrafesa
Summary for 2022 Legislative Relevant to Fire Investigations, Firefighters and Fire Investigators
The following bills have been passed in the Florida Legislature, but as of 4/08/22, have not yet been signed into law by the Governor (go to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (flgov.com) for updates):
HB 557 & SB 838 FIRE INVESTIGATOR CANCER TREATMENT BENEFITS. This bill revises the definition of the term “firefighter” to include full-time, Florida-certified fire investigators for the purpose of expanding eligibility for certain cancer treatment benefits to include such investigations.
HB 1563 & SB 1748 HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR CLASSROOM TEACHERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS, CHILD WELFARE PROFESSIONALS AND SERVICEMEMBERS. These bills also provide for a one hundred-million-dollar appropriation for the Florida Hometown Hero Housing Program for Florida first responders making them eligible for grants to help with down payments on new homes in addition to the homestead exemptions.
HB 31 & SB 264 FIRERIGHTER INQUIRIES AND INVESTIGATIONS. These bills provide that firefighters have certain rights during an informal inquiry and that a firefighter may not be threatened with certain disciplinary action during an informal inquiry or interrogation.
HB 677 & SB 634 JUDICIAL NOTICE. Allows courts to accept images and other information taken from web mapping services, global satellite imaging sites, or internet mapping tools, e.g., Google Maps, as evidence, so long as the date stamp is visible. Also allows for authorizing parties to object to the admissibility.
HB 749 & SB 1292 FRAUD PREVENTION. Revises 633.126, F.S., substituting administrative penalties, including fines, for insurance companies or their representatives, which fail to comply with a request made under F.S. 633.126.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS
2022 Seminar Sponsors
2022 Seminar Exhibitors
News around the State
June 30, 2020
The Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Investigative and Forensic Services (DIFS), Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives Investigations (BFAEI), lost one of its own, former Det. Roland “Tony” Gray, who passed away on June 22, 2021, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
Tony was a U.S. Air Force veteran and worked for over 28 years in law enforcement, beginning his career as a New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer in 1990 where he served for 20 years until his retirement in 2011. During his time with the NYPD, Tony rose to the rank of detective and was awarded the NYPD Combat Cross, the second highest medal awarded by the agency. After the NYPD, Tony moved to Florida where he continued his law enforcement career as Bay Harbor Islands Police Department officer in 2011 working general investigations. Tony was promoted to the rank of detective in 2013 and was later recognized with the 2014 Police Officer of the Year award.
Tony began his career with DIFS in May of 2015 as a detective with the BFAEI in the Jacksonville field office. In June of 2016, Tony transferred to the Tallahassee field office to accept the K-9 detective position where he was assigned to work with accelerant detection canine (ADC) “Mumsie” until his retirement in March of 2019.
Tony touched the lives of all he came in contact with and will be greatly missed. It was a pleasure to work with him and to know him. Our deepest condolences go out to the Gray family. Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Rest in Peace Tony. You are always in our hearts.
Recalls and Investigations
April 29, 2020
This recall involves Honda EB2200i, EU2200i, EU2200i Companion and EU2200i Camo portable generators.
The recalled portable generators were sold with a red or Camo cover. The name “HONDA” and the generator model name are printed on the control panel. The serial number is located on a lower corner of one of the side panels of the generator. The model names and serial number ranges that are being recalled:
April 29, 2020
Kia recalls more than 200,000 vehicles over electrical problem that can cause fires
Kia is joining its affiliate Hyundai in recalling thousands of vehicles in the U.S. because water can get into a brake computer, cause an electrical short and possibly a fire.
The Kia recall covers nearly 229,000 Sedona minivans from the 2006 through 2010 model years. Also covered are Sorento SUVs from 2007 through 2009. Kia is telling owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles until the problem can be fixed.
June 03, 2019
Target recalls own-brand Lightning cables over fire risk
Target has issued a recall for 90,000 of its Heyday Lightning cables after it received over a dozen reports of the cables smoking, sparking, or igniting, MacRumors reports. According to a recall notice issued by the United State Consumer Product Safety Commission, there have been two reports of people suffering finger burns from the cables, and they can also pose a shock hazard.
May 29, 2019
Not one we probably need to worry about in Florida - But in Case - Artic Cat recalls some of its snowmobiles
This recall involves all Model Year 2018 and 2019 Arctic Cat snowmobile models M8000, XF8000, ZR8000, and Norseman X8000. The vehicles were produced in a variety of color combinations and track lengths. The vehicles all have 8000 on each side of the front hood/side panel area and ARCTIC CAT on the rear snow-flap. The vehicle identification number (VIN) is stamped on the right side of the snowmobile tunnel near the right foot rest.
Arctic Cat has received 70 reports of melting plastic around the exhaust outlet area and four reports of the plastic catching fire. No injuries have been reported.
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