Alamogordo Fire Lt. William Skaggs Begins Second Term as New Mexico IAAI President; Firefighters Mathias & Coyazo Earn Advanced Investigator Credentials at 2026 State Conference

Alamogordo, N.M. (February 28, 2026) — The Alamogordo Fire Department today proudly recognizes members of its Fire Investigations Unit for their outstanding participation in the 2026 New Mexico Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators (NMIAAI) Annual Training Conference, while celebrating the re-election of Lieutenant William Skaggs to a second term as President of the statewide organization.

Held February 23–27 at the Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque Airport, the conference delivered 35 hours of intensive, tested training with hands-on practicals. Topics ranged from fire investigations and the law, evidence collection, fatal fire investigations with world-renowned forensic anthropologist Dr. Elayne Pope, post-blast investigations by ATF, managing large fire scenes, wildland fire origin and cause, fires in hoarder homes, and emerging research on fire behavior. Lt. Skaggs himself co-presented the session on “Managing the Large Fire Scene” alongside representatives from the New Mexico State Fire Marshal’s Office and ATF.

Firefighter Kylen Mathias and Firefighter Michael Coyazo joined investigators from across the region for this high-level professional development. Mathias, who earned his IFSAC Fire Investigator 1 certification in 2025 along with Pump Operator and Fire Service Instructor 1 credentials, brought fresh expertise to the sessions. Coyazo, who recently completed his own IFSAC Fire Investigator 1 certification and is newly assigned to the Fire Investigations Unit, also completed the full conference curriculum.

Lieutenant William Skaggs, a dedicated 18-year veteran of the Alamogordo Fire Department, was re-elected to serve a second term as President of the New Mexico Chapter of the IAAI. Skaggs began his fire service journey as a high-school volunteer inspired by a family friend who was a volunteer firefighter/EMT. He joined full-time in 2008 as a Public Safety Officer — one of the last combined police/fire positions in the nation — carrying bunker gear in his patrol car. He later played a key role in the 2014 transition that created separate Alamogordo Fire and Police Departments.

Today, Skaggs serves as Shift Lieutenant, heads the department’s Fire Investigations Unit, and works as an adjunct instructor at the New Mexico State Firefighters Academy, where he has helped rewrite outdated curricula and launch a new Fire Investigations program. Active in the IAAI for nearly a decade, he previously served on the chapter board, was elected 2nd Vice President in early 2024, and was sworn in as President in February 2025. In his leadership role, Skaggs has spearheaded expanded fire-investigation training across New Mexico and continues to champion science-based, professional excellence.

“Continued professional development like this strengthens our ability to serve our community through thorough, science-based fire investigations,” the department stated. “We are proud of the commitment our personnel continue to show toward growth, leadership, and service.”

The NMIAAI (Chapter #32 of the International Association of Arson Investigators) remains a cornerstone for professional networking, certification support, and best-practice training for fire investigators throughout New Mexico.

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