Introduction to Provincial Fire and Explosion Investigations

  • October 22, 2026
  • 8:00am-9:50am
  • FESTI - 2025 Courtneypark Dr East, Mississauga, ON L5T 1J3

Facilitated by Jennifer Woodcroft

You will gain an understanding of how the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal conducts fire and explosion investigation. This session introduces foundational fire science and fire dynamics, investigative methodologies, scene analysis, and evidence collection. You will gain insight into the origin and cause determination process, understand the roles and responsibilities within provincial investigations, and explore how findings support public safety and legal outcomes. By the end, you will be able to recognize key principles of fire behavior, understand the investigative process, and appreciate the role of evidence in determining origin and cause.

Jennifer Woodcroft

Jennifer brings over 25 years of investigative experience with the Province of Ontario, having served in specialized units such as surveillance and intelligence before joining the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) in 2021. As a fully certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, she has played a key role as a Coach Officer and contributed to training initiatives, including delivering NFPA 1033 Fire Investigation courses to both internal and external audiences. In 2024, Jennifer advanced to the role of Supervisor, where she leads and mentors Fire Investigators in the field and supports onboarding and development of new team members. Her extensive expertise, commitment to professional growth, and collaborative leadership style make her a highly respected resource in provincial fire investigations.