Congratulations to Mark F. Maroney, Jr., a past member, a past career fire driver, a current mutual aid member, and Assistant Chief with the West Potsdam Fire Department for successfully completing an intense three week FIRE INVESTIGATOR course at the New York State Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls, New York. This extensive hands-on course provides in-depth knowledge and skills necessary to thoroughly investigate fires from fire scene to the courtroom as outlined in NFPA 921. It includes fire dynamics, motives, scene documentation, evidence, case preparation and testimony. Students engage in a hands-on investigation that includes investigating, documenting and collecting evidence from a fire scene, conducting background checks, interviewing witnesses, case preparation, and testifying at a mock trial in a court setting in front of a judge. The course also includes both a New York State Certification Test and the Pro Board Fire Investigator National Certification Test.

Prior to the three week residential course, Investigator Maroney successfully completed on-line prerequisite fire investigation training courses. In order to receive his New York State certification he will complete fifty (50) hours of fire investigations in the field under the supervision of a certified investigator. In order to maintain his certification, he must complete twelve (12) hours of annual tested training related to the fire investigation field and twelve (12 ) hours of fire investigations in the field.

Investigator Maroney was hired by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention and Control in September of 2025 after a successful stint as a career firefighter with Fort Drum’s Division of Fire and Emergency Services. He was assigned to the New York State Fire Investigations Unit and will work out of the Potsdam Office. He continues a long tradition of members from the Potsdam Fire Department providing assistance and their expert knowledge to other departments across the county and now the state in determining the origin and cause of the fires in their jurisdictions.

Special thank you to his family and the West Potsdam Fire Department for supporting Investigator Maroney in this new role and allowing him the opportunity to enhance the fire investigation resources for New York State.