Fire Investigation

Question 1

How can Firefighters assist their Station Officer with their post fire investigations?

Answer 1

1. Providing information regarding any suspicious circumstances observed
2. Describing the fire growth and spread to assist in cause determination

Question 2

Define contemporaneous notebook

Answer 2

These notebooks are for taken personal notes directly post incident or within a reasonable timeframe of your actions and your observations. Notes can be in written form, including diagrams/sketches. They must be signed and dated. These notes can be called for as evidence in court proceedings.

Question 3

What are 4 things you may include in your contemporaneous notes?

Answer 3

1. What colour was the smoke
2. how intense was the fire
3. was it unusual considering the fuel load
4. were gates or doors locked or blocked
5. was access impeded
6. were hydrants and water supplies tampered with

Question 4

What would you not include in your contemporaneous notes?

Answer 4

1. things you haven’t observed
2. things other ff’s did or observed
3. your theory on how fire may have started

Question 5

Describe how a V-Pattern indicates a possible area of origin?

Answer 5

Fire generally travels upwards and outwards, leaving in the absence of barriers or unusual fire conditions a V-Shaped or conical pattern in the structure is left behind

Question 6

How does a clean burn occur?

Answer 6

When a non-combustible surface is exposed to the products of combustion and the surface is heated these materials can be burnt off leaving a clean burn

Question 7

State 3 motives for Arson

Answer 7

1. insurance fraud
2. financial gain
3. revenge, retaliation or spite
4. thrill seeking
5. eliminate/hinder business rivals
6. boredom
7. Hero/Vanity arsonist

Question 8

Describe 3 things that may indicate arson activity?

Answer 8

1. liquid accelerant patterns
2. abnormally rapid fire spread
3. Obstacles to hinder fire fighting e.g. blocked doors
4. Unusual absence of personal belongings
5. Substitution of contents
6. Absence of contents
7. Tampering or damage to AFA or Fire suppression systems or burglar alarm system
8. Drums or fuel containers in or near premises

Question 9

Why is appropriate note taking important?

Answer 9

It lists your actions, your observations and other relevant details in relation to the job. These notes, may be called upon and used as evidence in court hearing.

Question 10

Define ROO, AOO, POO and MOU

Answer 10

• Room of origin
• Area of origin
• Point of origin
• Memorandum of understanding

Question 11

A fire may be classified as

Answer 11

1. Natural
2. Accidental
3. Incendiary or
4. Undetermined

Question 12

Contemporaneous notes must include

Answer 12

1. incident information including incident number, dates and times
2. crew disposition
3. observations
4. your actions
5. any conversations with bystanders