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Questions and Answers
What is the term that should not be used to classify an incident in offense reports?
What is the term that should not be used to classify an incident in offense reports?
What is the primary responsibility of the Fire Incident Board (FIB)?
What is the primary responsibility of the Fire Incident Board (FIB)?
What category would NOT be assigned to a fire prior to a thorough investigation?
What category would NOT be assigned to a fire prior to a thorough investigation?
Who has complete control of a fire scene until an origin and cause investigation is performed?
Who has complete control of a fire scene until an origin and cause investigation is performed?
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Which of the following is NOT one of the required actions for a member at a fire scene?
Which of the following is NOT one of the required actions for a member at a fire scene?
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What should the primary officer do during a preliminary investigation of a fire?
What should the primary officer do during a preliminary investigation of a fire?
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In the context of fire investigations, who should a member of the Fire Incident Board consult with at the scene?
In the context of fire investigations, who should a member of the Fire Incident Board consult with at the scene?
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Which of the following factors is NOT part of the victim information that should be collected?
Which of the following factors is NOT part of the victim information that should be collected?
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What basic reporting information is required for any type of fire incident?
What basic reporting information is required for any type of fire incident?
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Which piece of information is NOT required on the Incident Report if the fire is not declared incendiary?
Which piece of information is NOT required on the Incident Report if the fire is not declared incendiary?
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What is the mandatory crime classification for a declared incendiary fire incident?
What is the mandatory crime classification for a declared incendiary fire incident?
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What should be noted during a multi-alarm fire incident regarding the responding fire apparatus?
What should be noted during a multi-alarm fire incident regarding the responding fire apparatus?
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What should be done if a fire is incidental to a burglary, theft, or robbery?
What should be done if a fire is incidental to a burglary, theft, or robbery?
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What type of classification must be included in the Incident Report for property affected by the fire?
What type of classification must be included in the Incident Report for property affected by the fire?
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Which of the following is NOT part of the basic reporting information for a fire incident?
Which of the following is NOT part of the basic reporting information for a fire incident?
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Who is responsible for determining the cause of a fire in an incendiary incident?
Who is responsible for determining the cause of a fire in an incendiary incident?
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What is one reason a police officer can arrest a person without a warrant regarding malicious burning?
What is one reason a police officer can arrest a person without a warrant regarding malicious burning?
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Which of the following is NOT a condition under which a police officer can arrest someone for malicious burning?
Which of the following is NOT a condition under which a police officer can arrest someone for malicious burning?
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What should be done if a vehicle with fire damage is recovered and listed as stolen?
What should be done if a vehicle with fire damage is recovered and listed as stolen?
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Who has the authority to request the response of the Arson and Explosives Unit to a fire scene?
Who has the authority to request the response of the Arson and Explosives Unit to a fire scene?
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What is the first action for supervisors at fire scenes?
What is the first action for supervisors at fire scenes?
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What must the FIB investigator assess regarding the Police Arson and Explosives Unit's scene response?
What must the FIB investigator assess regarding the Police Arson and Explosives Unit's scene response?
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What is the requirement after all field reports are submitted by a subordinate?
What is the requirement after all field reports are submitted by a subordinate?
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What action is specifically mentioned regarding the handling of a recovered stolen auto report?
What action is specifically mentioned regarding the handling of a recovered stolen auto report?
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What is the first action to take upon arrival at a fire scene that has been extinguished?
What is the first action to take upon arrival at a fire scene that has been extinguished?
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What should be done if witnesses are located at the fire scene?
What should be done if witnesses are located at the fire scene?
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In which situation should a police officer respond to a medical facility at a fire scene?
In which situation should a police officer respond to a medical facility at a fire scene?
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When should the Crime Scene Unit be ordered to process the fire scene?
When should the Crime Scene Unit be ordered to process the fire scene?
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What should be done with a person whom there is probable cause to believe has committed a fire-related offense?
What should be done with a person whom there is probable cause to believe has committed a fire-related offense?
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Which of the following policies guides officers in making warrantless arrests related to fire offenses?
Which of the following policies guides officers in making warrantless arrests related to fire offenses?
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What information should be gathered about displaced persons due to a fire?
What information should be gathered about displaced persons due to a fire?
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What is the primary responsibility of the Fire Department at a fire scene?
What is the primary responsibility of the Fire Department at a fire scene?
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Which type of fire is NOT investigated by the Arson and Explosives Unit?
Which type of fire is NOT investigated by the Arson and Explosives Unit?
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What categorizes a fire as a multiple alarm fire?
What categorizes a fire as a multiple alarm fire?
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For what purpose does the Arson and Explosives Unit respond to fires involving hate-bias?
For what purpose does the Arson and Explosives Unit respond to fires involving hate-bias?
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Which type of fire requires immediate assistance from the Arson and Explosives Unit?
Which type of fire requires immediate assistance from the Arson and Explosives Unit?
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In which situation would the Arson and Explosives Unit NOT automatically respond?
In which situation would the Arson and Explosives Unit NOT automatically respond?
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What is the contact method after hours to reach the Arson and Explosives Unit?
What is the contact method after hours to reach the Arson and Explosives Unit?
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Which of the following incidents does the Arson and Explosives Unit automatically investigate?
Which of the following incidents does the Arson and Explosives Unit automatically investigate?
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What type of incidents involving explosives does the Arson and Explosives Unit respond to?
What type of incidents involving explosives does the Arson and Explosives Unit respond to?
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Study Notes
Baltimore City Arson Investigations Policy Overview
- Classification of Incidents: Do not categorize incidents as Malicious Burning; instead, label as Arson. Malicious Burning is for charging only.
- Responsibilities: The Baltimore City Fire Department maintains fire records and assesses the origin and cause of fires. They notify the Arson and Explosives Unit for criminal investigations.
Fire Investigation Categories
- Fires are categorized as:
- Accidental
- Incendiary
- Not fully ascertained
- Under investigation
Required Actions for Members
- Support Fire Operations: Assist firefighters and prevent any interference with their duties.
- Crowd and Traffic Control: Manage the scene, ensuring public safety and access routes are clear.
- Scene Protection: Preserve the fire scene as a potential crime scene, following directives from FIB or Arson Unit investigators.
Preliminary Investigation Responsibilities
- Information Gathering: Investigate the fire's nature (accidental or incendiary) and gather victim data.
-
Incident Report Requirements: Complete the Incident Report (Form 04/008) with:
- Date and time
- Discoverer's details
- Location specifics
- Property ownership and occupancy information
Additional Reporting for Incendiary Incidents
-
Mandatory Information: For incendiary classifications, report must include:
- Crime classification (e.g., Arson, Attempted Arson)
- Name of the investigator determining the cause
- Property classification
- Estimated value of damages
Arriving at Fire Scenes
- Communication: Contact the Fire Department if occupants extinguish a fire; they ensure proper investigation.
- Witness Canvassing: Look for witnesses and hold their information for the Arson Investigator.
Victim and Evidence Management
- Injury Reporting: For fire-related injuries, officers should interview victims at medical facilities.
- Crime Scene Processing: Consult with Arson Unit prior to ordering evidence processing by Crime Scene Unit.
Arrest Procedures
- Warrantless Arrests: Officers may arrest suspected individuals committing fire-related felonies or misdemeanors without a warrant if immediate action is necessary.
Special Circumstances
- Multi-alarm Fires: Key details are only needed for the first responding fire apparatus.
- Evidence Collection: Required for vehicles with fire damage; coordinate with the Arson Unit for recovery if stolen.
Arson and Explosives Unit Protocol
- Investigation Authority: The FIB can request the Arson and Explosives Unit for investigations of severe incidents, with specific incidents designated for automatic responses, such as multiple alarm or fatal fires.
Supervisor Responsibilities
- Scene Oversight: Regularly respond to fire scenes for guidance and report accuracy.
- Document Submission: Ensure fire-related offense reports reach the Arson and Explosives Unit.
Special Investigatory Situations
- Respond to incidents involving:
- Minimum four-alarm fires
- Hate-bias crimes
- Fires at religious institutions, hospitals, or large commercial entities
- Bomb incidents with explosives detected.
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Description
This quiz covers the policies and procedures regarding the classification and investigation of arson incidents in Baltimore City. It outlines the responsibilities of the Fire Department and essential actions for members to support fire operations and ensure public safety at fire scenes. Test your understanding of fire incident categories and initial investigation duties.
