FIRE INVESTIGATOR SAFETY & EQUIPMENT Instructor Rich Musicant.
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Transcript of FIRE INVESTIGATOR SAFETY & EQUIPMENT Instructor Rich Musicant.
FIRE INVESTIGATORSAFETY & EQUIPMENT
Instructor Rich Musicant
Learning Objectives•To NEVER get injured or killed•Identify and understand common hazards associated with fire investigations.
•Identify and understand safe practices for fire investigations •Identify equipment used for fire investigations
A word on SAFETY
Fire scenes by their nature are dangerous places. Fire investigators
have a duty to themselves and to others who may be endangered at fire scenes to exercise due caution during
their investigations.
Getting Started
As in most endeavors, PROPER PRIOR PLANNING is the best way to avoid injuries. This includes:
•Knowing what you’re getting into
•Having the proper equipment
Preparing for the Investigation
•Type and magnitude of fire
•Status of incident
•Time of day & weather
•Type of area
•Other Hazards
Preparation
•Number of investigators
•Safety equipment
•Tools
•Special resources
Based on initial information, you can begin to formulate a plan for
the investigation
What would you bring?
•Number of investigators•Safety equipment•Tools•Special resources
0230 hrs mid February, residential fire, contained to bedroom, fire
damage to one room, smoke and heat damage throughout.
What would you bring?
•Number of investigators•Safety equipment•Tools•Special resources
1900 hrs May 10th, fire in a 2 story manufacturing plant, heavy fire smoke
and heat damage throughout structure, reported explosions of 55
gal drums.
What would you bring?
•Number of investigators•Safety equipment•Tools•Special resources
0100 hrs November 12, fatal fire, 1 victim, 2 story residential with
attached garage, heavy fire damage to entire structure.
Basic Safety Equipment
Whenever you go on a fire investigation you should have the
following basic safety items readily available.
•Identification
- Badge and/or ID card
- Accountability tag
Basic Safety Equipment
•Protective over-garment
- Nomex or tyvek coveralls
- Turnout gear
- Overcoat / raincoat
Basic Safety Equipment
•Gloves
- Latex gloves
- Work gloves
ALWAYS try to avoid touching anything on a fire scene with your bare hands.
Basic Safety Equipment
•Footwear
- Work boots
- Rubber boots
•Eye protection
- Goggles
- Safety glasses
Basic Safety Equipment
•Head Protection (Brain bucket)
- Fire helmet
- Plastic hard hat
•Portable lighting
- Flashlight
- Spotlights
Basic Safety Equipment
•Communications
- Radio
- Cell phone
•Personal sidearm (police investigators)
Advanced Safety Equipment
Some fire scenes require more advanced safety equipment for completing investigations. This
equipment may not always be readily available
Advanced Safety Equipment
•Air monitoring devices
- Personal gas detectors
- Multi gas meters
•Lock out / tag out kits
•Life lines
Advanced Safety Equipment
•Respiratory Protection
- Particle mask
- Respirator
- Powered air purifying respirator- Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
Advanced Safety Equipment
•Hazardous Materials Ensemble
- Level A
- Level B
- Level C
- Level D
If you are using this gear, you need decon resources in place BEFORE you
start your investigation.
Advanced Safety Equipment
•Hazardous Materials Ensemble
If you find that you need any ensemble above level D , ask yourself how
important it is to be in there for an investigation.
Reporting to the sceneResponding to the fire scene is similar
to an emergency response, but generally not as time sensitive. When driving, you should always take care
to arrive safely.
Make sure your vehicles are positioned so they don’t block other
vehicles at the fire scene
Reporting to the scene
Upon arrival notify the incident commander and accountability officer
when required.
If fire units have cleared the scene before you arrive, make sure someone
knows where you are and what you are doing.
Scene size up
Before you begin an investigation, you should assess the scene for potential
hazards.
There are many factors to consider before any investigators should enter
the structure
Scene size up
•Assessing the scene
- Utilities secured
- Structural stability
- Air monitoring
- Stage of the incident
Safety IssuesThe fireground typically has many
substances which may be hazardous to your health. These substances
may enter the body one of the following ways:
•Ingestion
•Inhalation
•Injection
•Absorption
Safety Issues
As an investigator you will come into contact with any number of these
substances that could be harmful to you. It’s important to limit your exposure as
much as possible.
•Pyrolized materials
•Accelerants
•Contaminated water run-off
Safety Issues
•Body substance isolation
•Hand washing
•Equipment decon
- Latex gloves
- Protective clothing
Safety Issues
•Slip and fall
•Environmental
- Wet surfaces
- Ice
- Heat stress
- Hypothermia / frostbite
- Structural defects
Safety IssuesWhat lies beneath…
Nails
Broken glassSplintered wood
Other sharp metal
Who knows what else ???
Safety IssuesFatigue
Depending on the circumstances, fire investigations may be a prolonged
operation. Be aware that fatigue may set in and effect your physical and
mental abilities.
10 Rules for Investigator Safety
1. Know what you’re getting into
2. The only life hazard at a fire investigation is the one YOU create for yourself.
3. There’s no reason to rush… The fire won’t unburn
4. Know where you’re stepping
10 Rules for Investigator Safety
5. Know what you’re cutting and what it’s connected to
6. If you’re using tools, know how to use them properly
7. If you get hurt and there’s nobody that knows about it, you’re still hurt.
8. Know what you’re touching
10 Rules for Investigator Safety
9. If you didn’t personally see the utilities secured, consider them HOT.
10. There is NOTHING in there worth your life.
Tools
ToolsA variety of tools may be required to complete your fire investigation. It is important for you as the investigator
to know what you will need to complete the job.
Tools
Shovel
Broom
Rake
The “big three”
ToolsThe “little three”
Tools
ToolsGetting to the bottom of things…
Take care of your tools !!!
As in most professions, you must take proper care of your tools. It’s
important not only to use them properly, but also to maintain them
and store them with care.
Tool care and maintenance
Maintaining your fire investigation tools is especially important due to the hazard of
cross-contamination.
It’s also a health hazard to let some substances acquire in your vehicle or
storage areas
Dirty Gear
Isolate dirty or contaminated tools and gear from the clean equipment.
Tool care and maintenance
Clean your tools after each use so you don’t cross contaminate fire scenes or evidence.
Avoid putting tools away dirty !!!
Tool cleaning
Clean your tools with a mild detergent in a clean environment. Allow them to dry
properly and prevent rust from forming.
Tool storage
Keep your tools in a safe clean place free of contaminants. Whenever possible you
should keep your tools under lock and key.
Tool safetyIt’s especially important to know the proper
use of your tools and how to use them safely. If you’re unsure how to use a certain tool, be sure to get instruction and practice
if you can.
Other tools
A small toolbox may be helpful during investigations.
Scene documentation
Scene documentation
Photo equipmentDigital camera
Photo equipment35 mm camera
Evidence collection
Evidence collectionAbsorption materials
Thank you !
For your patience and your attention
Questions…
Comments…
Concerns…