202 Fire Investigation Response Procedure PDF

202.50 Fire Investigation Response.doc Page 1 of 4 Standard Operating Procedure for Fire Investigation response No: Reviewed date: Effective date: Supersedes: I. II. III. FR202.50 7/20 7/20/20 2/24/20 Type: Fire Suppression– 200 series Department: Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Signature: Expires: 7/20/25...

202.50 Fire Investigation Response.doc Page 1 of 4 Standard Operating Procedure for Fire Investigation response No: Reviewed date: Effective date: Supersedes: I. II. III. FR202.50 7/20 7/20/20 2/24/20 Type: Fire Suppression– 200 series Department: Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Signature: Expires: 7/20/25 INTRODUCTION A. PURPOSE: To set forth policy and procedures that provide for consistent and timely investigation of fires and explosions, and to provide direction to all members of the Operations Division to ensure the quality of such investigations. B. SCOPE: The authority and responsibilities listed in this section apply to all members of the Operations Division. C. AUTHOR: The Deputy Fire Chief - Fire Marshal, through the Chief of Fire Investigations – Bomb Squad, and the Deputy Chief over Operations, or designee, shall be responsible for the content, revision, and review of this instruction. RESPONSIBILITY A. It is the responsibility of the Chief of Fire Investigations – Bomb Squad to ensure the investigation of fire incidents causing injury or death, that are the result of the crime of arson, and that involve property owned by the City of Las Vegas, within the parameters of this policy. B. It is the responsibility of Battalion Chiefs and Company Officers to support the efforts of the Fire Investigators by ensuring the notification of Fire Investigators and practicing evidence conservation measures, consistent with this policy and proper fire suppression tactics. POLICY A. Incident Commanders shall maintain custody of the scene and have fire dispatch notify fire investigators to respond in the following situations: 1. Fires or explosions that directly result in personal injury requiring transport to a medical facility, or in the death of a human being, regardless of the known or suspected cause of such fire or explosion. 2. Fires or explosions where a crime of arson is suspected, regardless of the amount of property damage. 202.50 Fire Investigation Response.doc 3. Page 2 of 4 a) While on scene of a crime of arson Incident Commanders shall advise Fire Dispatch to notify Fire Investigators of the incident. b) Depending upon the resource (manning, training) needs of the Bureau of Fire Investigations – Bomb Squad and the type of incident encountered, the available most senior Fire Investigator on duty will determine whether to respond and open an investigation versus documenting the incident by use of a Fire Damage Report. c) The decision to respond and open an investigation will be made by Fire Investigators after thoroughly reviewing all information obtained from the Incident Commander. d) If Fire Investigators respond to the scene, Command will maintain custody of the scene until Fire Investigators arrive. e) Fire Investigators will be accountable for justifying whether or not they respond to an incident. Fire or explosion involving property owned by the City of Las Vegas. B. Fires that do not meet any of the above criteria may be investigated by company officers and documented utilizing the current fire incident reporting system, provided that the ignition source, first material ignited, and the cause of ignition can be readily determined and thoroughly articulated. Company officers are accountable to their Battalion Chief for the accuracy and completeness of their reports. C. When fire investigators are on the scene or responding, companies should coordinate overhaul with the investigators to minimize the destruction of evidence. D. When delay in response by investigators is indicated, Command shall assign personnel to protect the fire scene and maintain custody until the arrival of the investigators. E. After achieving fire control, Command may release companies not required to complete the investigation and overhaul. In some instances involving lengthy investigation times and at the discretion of the most senior fire investigator on scene, companies can transfer Command to investigators, return to quarters, and later return to the scene to complete overhaul activities. F. Whenever possible, first-in engine companies should be retained at the scene until the investigators can interview the crewmembers for information about the early stages of the fire, method of attack, methods of entry, and 202.50 Fire Investigation Response.doc Page 3 of 4 possible location of evidence. At all times, Command shall remain and maintain custody of the scene. G. The investigators will inform Command if they intend to maintain custody of the scene for further investigation. When an extended investigation is necessary, and at the discretion of the most senior investigator on scene, Command can be transferred to the most senior fire investigator on scene. H. The investigators will request from Command any manpower or equipment needed to assist in the investigation. Command will respond to such requests to the extent possible under the prevailing circumstances. I. All personnel will cooperate to ensure the investigation follows the guidelines and recommendations set forth by NFPA 921 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. A safe and systematic investigation utilizing the scientific method will also ensure protection of the fire scene and preservation of evidence. Be advised: DO NOT deter from normal Fire Ground Operations for preservation of evidence in place of life safety and incident stabilization. Evidence collection should be a primary concern after life safety is secured and incident stabilization is achieved. The following recommendations and guidelines should be considered when possible. 1. Extinguishment - Evidence can be destroyed with misuse of fire streams. The use of a fog spray in the suspected area of origin can help preserve evidence and prevent lightweight items of evidence from being moved from their original location (e.g. an attempted arson whereas you arrive to an outside fire with multiple smoldering hotspots). Evidence of the ignition source can sometimes be found at the area of origin. The use of hose lines, particularly straight stream applications, can move, damage, or destroy physical evidence that may be present. 2. Overhaul - is the single biggest cause of destruction of evidence that is needed by investigators in court cases. The practice of pulling down ceiling material for general inspection of extension of fire is counterproductive to a good investigation. Unnecessary probing of ceiling areas should be curtailed until investigators have examined the scene. While firefighters have a responsibility to control and extinguish the fire and then check for extension, they are also responsible for the preservation of evidence. These two responsibilities may appear to be in conflict and, as a result, it is usually the evidence that is affected during the search for hidden fire. However, if overhaul operations are performed in a systematic manner, both responsibilities can be met. 202.50 Fire Investigation Response.doc IV. Page 4 of 4 3. Salvage - This operation should not be overly thorough until the preliminary investigation is completed, except to diminish the eventual loss. It is essential that the investigators know the exact location and position of contents and equipment within the involved structure. Therefore, in most situations if items are to be physically removed from their original location, the investigators should view the items before removal. 4. Use of Power Tools – The use of gasoline or diesel powered tools and equipment should be controlled carefully in certain locations. The re-fueling of any fuel powered equipment or tools should be done outside the perimeter of the fire scene. Firefighters and Incident Commanders should remember that portable fuel powered lights will emit hydrocarbon vapors when placed inside a structure and cause contamination with a suspected arson scene. PROCEDURE A. EVIDENCE - SCENE SECURITY 1. Post a guard. 2. Maintain custody until relieved by investigators or police department. 3. Do not allow entry into the scene by unauthorized persons. The Fire Department has the authority to close the scene, even to the owner. Use barrier tape to exclude unnecessary personnel and civilians from entering the scene. 4. Prevent personnel from unnecessarily walking through fire area. Avoid walking on evidence. 5. Consider the use of salvage covers to protect evidence from water and/or debris damage. 6. Do not allow owners, occupants, relatives, or friends to enter and remove personal items. They may not be who they say they are. They may be trying to remove evidence, or valuables that they may claim as lost in the fire in their insurance claim, or even worse yet, that the Fire Department stole them. If it is necessary to allow removal of items, these items should appear on the Incident Report, and they should be witnessed by at least two officer-grade personnel. 7. Do not allow utility companies to remove meters prior to investigator’s arrival unless the meter is an active safety hazard. The documentation of the scene prior to the arrival of non-emergency personnel/entities is paramount to the fire investigation.