Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Investigator Call Out Procedure (FR-B-101) PDF

TO: ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE PERSONNEL FROM: PATRICK J. KENNEDY FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARED BY: FIRE RESCUE PPM COMMITTEE SUBJECT: INVESTIGATOR CALL OUT PROCEDURE...

TO: ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE PERSONNEL FROM: PATRICK J. KENNEDY FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARED BY: FIRE RESCUE PPM COMMITTEE SUBJECT: INVESTIGATOR CALL OUT PROCEDURE PPM #: FR-B-101 ISSUE DATE EFFECTIVE DATE September 15, 2022 October 13, 2022 PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines to determine the need for, and requesting a Fire Investigator UPDATES: Future updates to this PPM are the responsibility of Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction CRRD, in conjunction with the PPM Committee, under the authority of the Fire Rescue Administrator. AUTHORITY:  Fire Rescue Administrator  Palm Beach County Fire Code, as may be amended.  Michigan v. Tyler, 436 U.S. 499 (1978)  Michigan v. Clifford, 464 U.S. 287, 104 S. Ct. 641 (1984)  Line of Duty Reporting Procedures, PPM FR-A-701 SCOPE: This policy applies to all Palm Beach County Fire Rescue personnel and reservists. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A: Fire Investigator Call out Determination Flow Chart POLICY: It is the responsibility of the Incident Commander to determine the need for a Fire Investigator at a fire or explosion scene. Whenever there is a request for a Fire Investigator, scene security shall be maintained by Fire Rescue personnel. Upon arrival of the Fire Investigator, the IC will provide the Fire Investigator a face-to-face situation report. DEFINITIONS: CRIME-RELATED - A violation of any federal, state, local, statute, law, ordinance, rule, or regulation. LOSS OF LIFE – Any incident or event where either a civilian, employee or firefighter of Fire Rescue may or may not require transport to a medical health facility and has no signs of life or have been declared as deceased. FR-B-101/Page 1 of 4 CASUALTY – Any incident or event where either a civilian, employee or firefighter of Fire Rescue may or may not require transport to a medical health facility and has incurred an injury at any location as a result of a fire or burn and requires any type of medical treatment. JUVENILE-RELATED INCIDENT – Any incident or event in which a person under the age of 18 has a direct involvement in the ignition of the incident or event. The involvement may or may not include physically being present at the location or by any eyewitness identification. EXPLOSIVE DEVICES – Any device that relies on the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide a violent release of energy, any improvised incendiary device commonly referred to as a Molotov Cocktail (Firebomb), or any firework, pyrotechnic device, or flame effect. PROCEDURE: 1. The IC shall request a fire investigator through the alarm office when there has been a fire or explosion incident or event, which meets one of the following criteria: a. Evidence that any fire is crime-related or foul play is suspected: i. Such as incendiary (arson) fires/explosions, explosive devices, firebombs, stolen vehicles, burglaries, etc… ii. All crime-related or foul play suspected incidents or events require a fire investigator response, regardless of dollar value b. Loss of life/injury: i. Any fire or explosion incident or event resulting in a loss of life. ii. Any fire or explosion related injuries or burns where the injured party is transported to a medical health facility by Fire Rescue. The injury or burns shall be related to a fire or explosion and it shall require that Advanced Life Support (ALS) measures or treatment were taken. c. Firefighter Loss of life/injury: i. The LODD team shall be notified in accordance with Line of Duty Reporting Procedures and perform said duties outlined in Line of Duty Reporting Procedures (PPM FR-A-701). ii. A member of the LODD team shall take custody and control of all firefighter ensemble, as well as any equipment worn by the deceased or injured firefighter and shall retain custody of said ensemble and equipment until directed by a higher authority pursuant to PPM FR-A-701. Said ensemble and equipment shall be secured in the PBCFR Evidence Room until such time as the directed release from a higher authority. iii. Any request that meets this criteria shall require a minimum response of two (2) fire investigators to the scene. d. Accidental fires with substantial monetary loss or structural damage: i. Monetary fire loss exceeding $70,000 or structural damage exceeding 20%. Monetary loss shall be related to fire or explosion damage only and shall not include water or smoke damage. ii. Any crime-related or foul play suspected incident or event requires a fire investigator response, regardless of dollar value. Unless there is a death or injury as a result of a vehicle crash with fire. FR-B-101/Page 2 of 4  e. Juvenile related incidents: i. Any fire or explosion incident in which a person under the age of 18 has a direct involvement in the ignition shall require a fire investigator response while the Fire Rescue units remain on scene. If direct involvement cannot be determined then the fire investigator shall be notified via radio or cellphone and will then determine the need for a response at their discretion.. ii. The direct involvement of a juvenile may or may not include physically being present at the scene, or by eyewitness identification. f. Explosive device/Explosion: i. Any fire or explosion incident or event that results in the loss of life, injury, or property damage as a result from an explosive device, improvised incendiary device, firework, pyrotechnic device, or flame effect requires a fire investigator response while Fire Rescue units remain on scene. If the property damage is less than $70,000 or less than 20%, then the fire investigator shall be notified via radio or cellphone and will then determine the need for a response at their discretion. g. All Other Circumstances: : i. A fire investigator shall be requested in any fire or explosion incident or event in which a fire cause cannot be determined by the Fire Rescue units on scene. The fire cause is defined as the circumstances, conditions, or agencies that bring together a fuel, ignition source, and oxidizer (such as air or oxygen), which results in a fire or a combustion explosion.. ii. A fire investigator shall be requested in any fire sprinkler or fire suppression activation when the circumstances for the activation are for anything other than accidental causes or a potential for a high value loss exists. iii. A fire investigator shall be requested for any overcrowding issue at any assembly occupancy, a potential for a high value loss, or a potential loss of life exists. iv. A fire investigator shall be notified and requested when the IC determines a significant life safety issue exists. 2. Calling for a Fire Investigator: a. The IC shall request a Fire Investigator through the Alarm Office. The IC shall call for a Law Enforcement Officer from the appropriate Law Enforcement Agency to respond to the scene for any incident, which requires a Fire Investigator response. b. The IC will ensure that a Fire Rescue unit remains on scene until the fire investigator arrives. c. The Fire Investigator shall determine if a member of the PBSO Bomb/Arson Squad is required. If required, the Fire Investigator shall make the request through the PBSO Bomb/Arson Squad Supervisor. d. If the fire investigator determines a need for additional agencies, resources, or personnel, to complete their investigation, they shall contact the supervisor of investigations.. e. No other individual shall request outside Law Enforcement agencies for the purpose of assisting in a fire, arson, or explosion investigation. f. The IC may request Law Enforcement for the purposes of assisting to secure a fire scene, crowd control or traffic control. Operational personnel shall not request Law Enforcement to assist with an investigation. FR-B-101/Page 3 of 4  _____________________________ PATRICK J. KENNEDY FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR Supersession History 1. PPM#FR II-01, issued 01/01/2007 2. PPM#FR II-01, issued 12/18/2011 3. PPM#FR II-01, issued 08/01/2013 4. PPM#FR II-01, issued 06/16/2014 5. PPM#FR B-101, clerical 03/01/2018 6. PPM#FR B-101, issued 11/22/2019 7. PPM#FR B-101 issued 09/15/2022 FR-B-101/Page 4 of 4