Arson CIB012 Flashcards
Powers conferred on the person in charge of the fire service at a fire under Section 28 of the Fire Service Act 1975
Enter private property when it is on fire or endangered, or when entry is essential to performing a necessary duty - Sec 28(4)(b)
Close roads - Section 28(4)(h)
Remove vehicles impeding the fire service. If necessary they can break into the vehicles for that purpose - Sec 28(4)(I)
Remove people who are in danger or interfering with operations, using reasonable force if necessary - Sec 28(4)(j)
Do anything else that is reasonably necessary for the protection of life and property - sec 28(4)(n)
When can Police exercise powers under Section 28 of the fire service act 1975?
If called upon to do so by the member of the fire service in charge of the fire - Sec 32(2)
Four main points of MOU between fire and Police?
- Investigations of fire scenes by the fire service and police are efficiently coordinated, and expertly and independently conducted; and
- Any relevant evidence is protected and collected for potential criminal prosecutions or coronial enquires
The fire service will notify police if:
- A fire results in serious injury or death; or
- A fire is considered suspicious
Six steps of fire scene control, notification and handover?
- The fire service has authority over a fire scene while a fire is in progress. Once a fire is extinguished and any threat to life or property no longer exists, the fire service must hand over to the appropriate agency, in certain circumstances this will be police.
- The fire service will notify police if it considers that a fire may have been deliberately lit, or if it considers the cause of a fire is suspicious. The fire service will also notify police of all incidents where fatalities or serious injuries occur
- Where police attend a fire scene and seek authority over that fire scene, the designated police investigating officer will confer with the incident controller to confirm the handover process.
- The fire service will not normally handover a fire scene until the danger of fire, structural collapse, exposure to dangerous products of Covid took or other fire related hazards have been identified and eliminated, isolated or minimised.
- For any fire scene involving multiple agencies, all agencies will consult with each other prior to any investigation or scene examination to develop an investigation plan.
- The investigation plan will include an outline of how the investigation will proceed and the role of each agency
What causes most injuries received at fire scenes
- inhalation of toxic substances
- ingestion of particles
- cuts/wounds from sharp objects
- air borne dusts, particles etc.
- Tripping on fire debris
- Falling down, falling over, onto or into any obstructions or cavities.
- Items from above falling onto you or hitting objects and causing a chain reaction.
What must be worn by the on scene investigator?
A suitable helmet
A pair of overalls
Nose and mouth filter, a full respiration or BA
Gloves
Safety glasses
Heavy duty footwear with steel soles and toe caps
Common methods of setting fires
Candles
Chemical igniters
•potassium permanganate,sugar and glycerine
•potassium chlorate, sugar and sulphuric acid
Electrical apparatus eg. heater,iron,toaster
Electric matches
Matches and cigarettes
Molotov cocktails
Timing devices
Trailers
Non-intentional causes of fire
Carelessness
Faults
Nature
Effects of fire on:
Timber
Steel
Concrete
Masonry
Timber - burn and char
Steel - expand and cause external walls to push out. Contracts when cooled
Concrete - can be affected by low temperatures. Can break away at surface (spalling) exposing steel reinforcement.
Masonry - cracking, leaning or bowing or collapse of supporting floors or roof frames. Mortar can deteriorate
Evidence of candles being used in fire?
Traces of wax or wick at the scene
Evidence of potassium permanganate, sugar and glycerine?
A greenish coca-cola like residue.
Container traces may remain and a trip mechanism may be found
Alternative product to potassium chlorate to make ‘fire fudge’?
Yates universal weed killer
Evidence of Molotov cocktail use?
Traces of wick
Pieces of broken glass
Pieces of window glass (from bottles entry)
Traces of tape used to connect chemicals to side of bottle
Evidence of liquid flowing down walls and under doors and furniture
Evidence of rubber bands, egg white residue, gelatine or similar substances stuck to flooring or walls
Natural causes of fire
- chemical reactions
- the suns rays
- lightening
- static electricity
- rodents eating through wiring or building nests out of flammable material
- spontaneous combustion of damp grain, hay or wool, cloth soaked in oil, turps or paint
Initial action when dealing with fires (8 steps)
- Briefly interview informant (may be the offender)
- Secure and control the scene
- Initial Interview of Specialist fire investigator (if present) or O/C of first fire appliance to attend.
- Interview the incident controller at the scene
- Ensure safety of the scene before conference with the Specialist fire investigator and conduct prelim scene exam
- If deemed suspicious regroup and hold a briefing conference.
- Confer with other staff to:
•guard and control the scene
•identify and interview witnesses at the scene
•conduct local enquires - Ask for assistance, attendance if specialists such as fire investigation liaison, photography, fingerprints
What to cover during interview of incident controller at fire scene (initial action step 4)
- time,date of call and the manner in which it was received
- what appliances attended.
- the state of the fire when fire service arrived.
- what action the service had taken (eg upon entry and ventilating building post fire)
- what information the fire service has about the buildings security
- what alterations have been made to the scene.
- whether they think the fire is suspicious and why.
- their opinions of the informant
- details of 1C people or vehicles in the vicinity.
Guarding and controlling scene considerations for Police
- ensuring scene is not interfered with.
- exclusion and control of on-lookers, property owners and other interested parties.
- preserving evidence.
- prevent looting
Also
- be aware of re-ignition from hotspots
- watch for suspects
- identify witnesses among on-lookers and passers by
- report all matters of significance to the O/C or scene co-ordinator
What is the point of origin for a fire?
The exact location at which:
•a component failed
•a fire was maliciously lit
•an accidental fire originated
Considerations for scene preservation
- scope of area to be preserved
- Cordons
- Common approach path
- Documentation where preservation is difficult
Common approach path
All traffic should be limited to corridors or paths which will keep scene disturbance low.
Areas to be used should be searched prior to any others entering
Documenting the scene when preservation is difficult (eg. Needing to be demolished for safety)
Sketches
Photographs
Plans
Video recordings
Specialists who may be required at scene
- esr scientist
- rural fire investigator
- photographer
- fingerprint technician
- explosives inspector
- electrical inspector
- building inspector
- insurance assessor
- accountant
- forensic mapper
- pathologist
- vehicle inspector
- civil aviation expert
- mines inspector
- forestry expert
- agricultural expert
- marine surveyor
- heating engineer
- meteorologist
