Fire Investigator Personal Training Database & Origin 360 Training Tracker

Two ways to organize your training, document your qualifications, and keep your CV up to date.

I originally designed the Fire Investigator Personal Training Database because I needed a better way to organize my own fire investigation training records. After more than 20 years of collecting training certificates, course materials, and other documents scattered across three computers and several external drives, I decided it was time to get my things in order.

I had several goals in mind. First, I wanted to keep all my training records in one place. I wanted to be able to quickly find the certificate for a particular course, along with any training materials associated with it. I also wanted to organize my training according to the requisite knowledge areas identified in NFPA 1033, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator, and use that information to document my continuing education and identify gaps in my training.

Finally, I wanted a way to automatically update my CV without having to dig through years of records every time I needed a current copy.

The solution I came up with was a database built in Google Sheets. It accomplished all those things and a few more. I've made the workbook available for free here on FirePhotog, and it remains a great option for investigators who want a simple way to organize their professional development.

But after using the database for a while, I started thinking about ways to make it even better.

Introducing Origin 360 Training Tracker

The Origin 360 Training Tracker is a Windows desktop application that builds on the original Google Sheets database, adding new features and making the whole process of maintaining training records much easier.

One of the biggest improvements is document management. Instead of manually creating links to certificates and course materials stored in Google Drive, you can attach those documents directly to your training records. The application also includes a Batch Certificate Importer that can scan a folder of existing certificates, suggest matching training records, and help you organize years of documents in a fraction of the time.

The Training Tracker also includes a Professional Development Dashboard, Certification Tracker, and Qualifications Report generator. You can track training hours, organize courses by knowledge area, monitor certification renewal requirements, and generate professional reports.

A Better Way to Build Your CV

One of my favorite improvements is the CV Generator.

The original Google Sheets database automatically populates a basic CV using information from your training and certification records. It's a useful feature, but the formatting options are fairly limited.

Training Tracker takes this considerably further.

You can enter your professional background, education, employment history, certifications, and other qualifications, then use the CV Generator to create a professional document.

The application includes multiple CV layouts, along with options to customize colors and incorporate a professional photograph or logo. This gives investigators much more control over how their qualifications are presented, without having to manually format a document every time something changes.

When you complete additional training or earn a new certification, your updated information is available for the next CV you generate. You can then export a formatted PDF suitable for professional use.

For investigators who regularly submit CVs for expert witness qualifications, consulting work, or other professional purposes, this feature alone can save a considerable amount of time.

Which Version Is Right for You?

Both versions are designed to accomplish the same basic goal: help fire investigators maintain organized, accessible records of their professional development. The biggest differences are convenience, document management, and CV customization.