History

The annual meeting of the International Association of Arson Investigators was held in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 19-23, 1976 at that meeting the Association founded its twenty third, state chapter. On April 21, 1976, under the signature of IAAI President W. R. Wetherington and Secretary R.E. May, the New York State Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators was formed to further the objectives of the larger association. Charter members of the New York State Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators included;

Robert Doran, Nassau County
Donald Devore, Orange County
George Alexander, Greene County
Alton L. Lewis, Onondaga County
Richard B. Whalen, Niagara County
Charles Houper, Steuben County
Francis X. Pendl, Nassau County
R. Larry Christman, Oswego County
Richard Manwaring, Nassau County
John P. Woods, Yates County
Miller Butler, Onondaga County
James Holmes, Nassau County
Thomas C. Disbrow, Yates County
Richard Olmstead, Suffolk County
Harold Glass, Orange County
Daniel J. O’Connor, Rensselaer County
Robert Cocks, Nassau County
Joseph F. Jaret, Suffolk County
Wilbur A. Sterling, Suffolk County

We are indebted to these individuals for establishing the foundation that we operate off of to this day and continue efforts to further the objectives of the International Association of Arson Investigators.