INVESTIGATION OF FIRES who is responsible

476.210 Investigation of fires by municipal officers and constables; reports; exemption. (1) The municipal fire marshals, fire department chiefs, constables and other officers referred to in ORS 476.060 shall investigate the cause, origin and circumstances of each fire occurring in their respective cities, villages or townships, by which property has been destroyed or damaged, and shall make an investigation to determine whether the fire was the result of carelessness or design. The investigation shall be commenced immediately after the occurrence of the fire.

You do not want to be an EMT

Evidence Mutilation Technician

Essentials of Fire Fighting, 5th Edition

Chapter 18 — Protecting Fire Scene Evidence

Firefighter I

OBJECTIVES

After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to identify indicators of an incendiary fire and protect and preserve evidence after a fire following the policies and procedures set forth by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Describe signs and indications of an incendiary fire. 2. Summarize important observations to be made en route, after arriving at the scene, and during fire fighting operations. 3. Discuss firefighter conduct and statements at the scene.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

4. Explain firefighter responsibilities after the fire.

5. Discuss protecting and preserving evidence.

DETERMINING CAUSEIn most jurisdictions the fire chief has the

legal responsibility for determining the cause and origin of a fire.

Delegates this authority to the fire officers and firefighters at the scene - Are you experienced enough to make the determination –

Remember your finding may go to court if in doubt get help – when should you get assistance in determining the fire cause

Hermiston Policy on Fire Investigations

There has been a death or injury related to the fireThere appears to have been criminal acts associated

with the fire (incendiary fires, chain of dumpster fires)

The fire caused a loss of high dollar value - $10,000 or more

There is not a clear and believable explanation for how the fire started

A request is made for utility companies to respond to the scene (utilities were shut off)

Flames or heavy smoke are showing from a structure

Hermiston Policy on Fire InvestigationsYou are unable to clearly determine the cause of a

vehicle fireThere are suspicious circumstances pertaining to the fire When in doubt about whether an investigator is needed,

call the investigator and explain the circumstances. The investigator will determine whether an investigation response is necessary.

If no fire investigator is available it will be the Senior Fire Officer’s responsibility to determine the fire cause and to thoroughly document the fire cause investigation.

Most important thing a firefighter can do is OBSERVE Observations enrouteWeatherTime of day, –BarriersPeople leaving the sceneDoes your department make you fill out a

Fire StoryRemember you could have to go to court on

this fire – How good is your memory

Fire story 

**Please relate only your observations. Strategy and tactics are not required for this form. 

Use this form for all fire calls when asked by the Fire Marshal for a fire story. Each firefighter responding to the fire must individually fill out a form.

 ALARM #, DATE, TIMEEngine #ADDRESS, WEATHER CONDITIONSNAME , POSITION

What was involved in fire and what percentage of the structure/vehicle/area was involved?

Fire storyWas the fire continuous or did there

appear to be more than one actual fire? Did the fire react normally when water

was applied?What color were the flames? How high were the flames? Was the smoke colored? Were there any odd odors?

Fire StoryHow was entry made?  Were the doors locked? Were the doors opened/closed? Windows? Open Closed Broken BoardedIf necessary, identify individual door and

window conditions?Were there familiar faces or unusually

helpful civilians in the area?

Fire Story

Were the owners or occupants present? What was their appearance and demeanor?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION? People leaving the scene, barriers once on scene, contents of

the room, containers or cans, burglary tools

PLACE IN THE FIRE MARSHAL’S IN BASKET, WHEN FINISHED

Observations During The FireIncendiary devices Trailers Structural alterations Fire patterns What would you do if you saw this?

Observations During Fire Fighting Operations Heat intensity - what would this mean - NOTHINGAvailability of documents Fire detectionprotection systems Intrusion alarms Location of fire

Observations During Fire Fighting Operations Personal possessions Household items Equipment or inventory Business records Note – do not touch

Conduct and Statements at the Scene It’s not your job – put the fire out, keep your

mouth shut and OBSERVE – If the owner or occupant wants to talk send

them to the fire officer or investigatorFire Investigators Interview – Police

InterrogateWhat is the differenceKeep your opinions to the fire to yourself – I

talk to the Incident Commander – If you have an observation or did something I want to know

Conduct and Statements at the Scene Public statement regarding fire cause should

be made only afterThe investigator and ranking fire officer have

agreed to its accuracy and validityUntil the investigation has been completed its

under investigation– no fire is suspicious or suspected arson,

Classification of cause must be accidental, incendiary, natural or undetermined

Investigator or Fire Officer speaks to the media

Responsibilities After the Fire Firefighters should report their observations

to their supervisorFirefighters should not discuss their

observations with other crew members, families or friends – I do not want to hear how the fire started from the press or at a store

Responsibilities After the Fire Improperly done overhaul operations can be

detrimental to the investigation Put the fire out Clear the smokeGet an investigator to look at the fire scene

Do not remove anything from the fire until given permission from the fire investigator

Securing the Fire Scene Fire department has the authority to deny

access to any buildingDuring fire fighting operations For a reasonable length of time after fire

suppression is terminated Maintain custody till fire investigators arriveGet a Permission to Investigate signed as soon

as possibleWhy must we maintain custody of the scene

Protecting and Preserving Evidence Protect evidence by keeping it untouched and

undisturbed until an investigator arrives Do not gather or handle evidence unless it is

absolutely necessary in order to preserve it Note if you handled evidence – chain of

custodyIf you must move evidence- try to take photos

and write in the fire story on why you moved it

Protecting and Preserving Evidence Firefighters must avoid trampling over possible

evidence and obliterating it The same precaution applied to the excessive

use of water may help avoid similar unsatisfactory results

Do not remove anything that you do not have toHuman footprints and tire marks must be

protectedProtect completely or partially burned papers

found in a furnace, stove, or fireplace by immediately closing dampers and other openings

Leave charred documents found in containers

After Evidence Has Been Collected After evidence has been properly collected by

an investigator, debris may be removed - ask the investigator what is ok to remove

Remove charred materials to prevent the possibility of rekindle and to help reduce smoke damage

SummaryYour job is to observeIt is a firefighter ‘s responsibilities is to avoid

disturbing or destroying evidence while fighting the fire and after. In the area of origin appropriate caution must be used when spraying water, moving debris, and even walking around.

Once the fire is out if possible get an investigator in there to determine where and what to overhaul

Firefighters should not determine cause No statements to anyone about the fire

Sales Pitch for OTFITOregon Trails Fire Investigation TeamFire Investigators from Pendleton, Boardman,

Hermiston, State Fire Marshal, Oregon State Police

Always Get a Permission to InvestigateSecure Fire SceneIf you have any doubts call for assistance

from OTFIT

Review Questions1. What observations should be made en

route? 2. What observations should be made upon

arrival? 3.What observations should be made during

firefighting operations?4. What actions should firefighters take after

a fire? 5. Why is protecting evidence important?