Fire investigators require unique training.

The investigators, such as fire marshals for cities and counties, are considered firefighters and police officers, and they frequently need continuing education in both fields, said Mark Moore, criminal investigator with the Upshur County Sheriff's Office and president of the East Texas Arson Investigators Association.

To help investigators in East Texas, the association offers an annual fire arson conference at the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center, Moore said. Organizers said about 170 investigators attended the conference, which is scheduled to conclude today.

"We try to cover as much as possible so everyone can get at least a little of what's new," Moore said.

By Wednesday afternoon, investigators had attended seminars on forensic photography, juvenile offenders and updates on state laws, Moore said. A seminar on computer forensics is scheduled for today.

A group of investigators from Kaufman County traveled to Longview for the conference because it is the closest training conference to their area, said Larry Ewing, Kaufman County fire marshal. He said only a few conferences are provided in the state each year, and they would rather drive to Longview than Austin.

Ewing said he enjoyed a training seminar on electrical fire investigations Tuesday, and all the investigators should hear about changes to the law.

"It's the kind of information we need," Ewing said.

The information does more than help investigators determine whether a fire was intentionally set, Moore said. Fire investigators, whether they work for government or private agencies, must earn continuing education hours annually. The conference permitted the investigators to earn more than 20 education hours.

The conference also allows investigators from the area to meet each other and compare experiences.

"It puts us all on the same page," Moore said.