Classroom:

The classroom is indoors and is generally comfortable, but it can be slightly cold; having a sweater available may be desirable. 

Field:

The field is located in San Luis Obispo, California, where temperature and humidity can vary significantly throughout the day. If you have not been to Southern California during this time of year, you are highly encouraged to do your homework. Some students from areas with mild weather and who are not accustomed to the local weather may have difficulty acclimating to the sun, heat, and dryness. The weather can also be cold and humid during the mornings and evenings.

July High Temp  91°F (32.8°C)

July Average Temp 72°F (22.2°C)

July low Temp 57°F (13.8°C)

Average High Humidity 94%

Average Humidity 76%

Average LowHumidity 26%

Winds Average 20 mph

SLOFIST will provide lunch each day of the course and one hosted dinner/mixer event; breakfast will be provided each day by the hotel. You can advise us of any dietary or food allergies in your registration form, and we will make every attempt to fulfill your request, but please be advised that we can not guarantee that we can meet everyone's needs, so please plan accordingly.

Some cameras are available, but you are encouraged to bring your own camera as long as it takes a memory card, such as an SD card. The memory card will be furnished by SLOFIST and will be collected at the end of each field day. Photos may not be taken via cell phone, and no unauthorized pictures will be allowed to leave the confines of the course.

Please wear clothes that can get dirty with close-toed shoes, preferably safety boots. It is highly recommended that you wear the same or comparable clothing that you would on an actual investigation with sun protection, and/or turnout like safety gear. SCBA's are not needed; however, you may wear a respirator or P100 mask if desired.

Please wear comfortable clothes for the classroom portion; business casual is recommended but not required. Uniforms are optional but not required.

***Firearms are not permitted on the training grounds. Please plan accordingly to secure your firearm in your vehicle or other location for the duration of the field investigation time.***

 All necessary tools, basic protective gear, sunscreen, food, and drinks will be provided. Temperatures range from cold to very hot, and you will be in the sun for extended periods of time. Items such as brim hats and long sleeves are recommended, and you are welcome to bring any equipment and PPE you would like to use.

We do recommend that you use the PPE that your agency requires for conducting a field investigation, as these will be real burn scene recreations where bodily fluids and chemical remnants of burned materials. There will be work gloves, safety glasses, nitrile gloves, sunscreen, and bug spray available.

It is highly recommended that you wear work boots with a steel toe and shank, as there will be nails, glass, and sharp edges in each scenario. Scenes include vehicles, structures, and outdoor burn scenes, which can include exposure to ignitable liquid vapor, burned plastics, wood, metal, vegetation, and human remains just as in any real-life scene, please plan accordingly.