Fire protocol Flashcards
What section to Fire service have at the scene of a fire
Fire Services Act 1975, Section 28
What Section under the Fire Services must Police comply with
Section 32
What are the powers under Section 28 of the Fire Services Act 1975.
1) Enter private property when it is on fire or endangered, or when it is essential to perform necessary duty.
2) Close Roads.
3) Remove vehicle if impeding F/S, can break windows if necessary
4) Remove people if in danger or interfering with operations. Reasonable force can be used.
5) Do anything else reasonably necessary.
Role of a FILO
1) Attend every fire that results in injury or death
2) Co-ordinate fire investigation in designated area/district
3) Arrange Police attendance at a fire scene.
4) Maintain effective working relationships with FISLO and FSSFI
5) Assist areas in their fire investigation related queries.
6) Ensure communication is maintained between the Police National Fire Investigations, District Intel Manger, and District Crime Manager.
7) Co-ordinate fire investigation training for staff in area.
8) Offer advise or expertise as required.
When will a Specialist Fire Investigations attend a scene
1) Fires where fatalities occur.
2) Fire where serious, life threatening injuries occur.
3) structure fires where the cause is suspicious or cannot be determined;
4) significant fire spread across a property boundary;
5) fires in buildings where built-in fire safety features have failed, or not performed to known or expected standards;
5) structure fires of 3rd alarm equivalent (at least six appliance) or greater, that may have a significant regional or national consequence; and
6) any other fire, upon request from Police or another agency.
What is the role of Police in a fire investigation.
1) To co-ordinate a criminal investigation or coronial enquiries.
2) undertake responsibility for the protection, collection and recording of forensic evidence.
Fire Scene Control , Notification and Handover process
1) F/S have authority while fire is still in progress. Once fire extinguished and danger to life/property no longer exists, then they will hand over to appropriate authority
2) F/S will notify Police is fie is deliberately lit, suspicious, death or serious injuries. \
3) FILO must co-ordinate with F/S incident command controller in hand over process.
4) Fire wont hand over scene until risk of fire, structural collapse, chemical exposure and fire hazards are identified, eliminated, isolated or minimised.
5) Where multiple agencies involved, there must by a agreed upon plan first before any instigation or scene examination takes place.
6) The investigation plan must outline the process and each agencies role.
A FSI will co-ordinate with FILO for what matters:
1) handover of the fire scene
2) access to the fire scene
3) process for examination and investigation
4) identification and collection of evidence at the fire scene.
Names some hazards/injuries
- Inhalation of toxic substances e.g. car fires emit particularly toxic and harmful gases
- Ingestion of particles etc
- Cuts/wounds from sharp objects
- Air borne dusts, particles etc
- Tripping on fire debris
- Falling down, over, onto or into any obstructions or cavities
- Items from above falling onto you or hitting objects and causing a chain reaction.
What can you do to mitigate risk of Hazards or injuries.
- Assess each hazard/injury
- Identify a strategy to prevent it occurring or to mitigate the impact.
Timbre risks
-Normally burn and char
- if members are thick enough, maintain sufficient integrity.
When entering a timber structure, take note
-of the thickness of structural members,
-the load it is carrying,
-and any sound emanating from structural members
Steel risks
Unprotected Steel will expand and cause internal and external walls to be pushed out.
- If sufficient fuel is used it will cause the steel to lose strength and cause the walls to collapse inwards.
- When cooled, steel tends to contract and may fall off support or stay intact but may collapse at any time
- Pay attention to the location of the steel and conditions of beams.
Concrete risks
Concrete, in particular concrete slabs are unpredictable as they can be effected by low heat.
- it may cause the concrete to topple over, in any direction.
- When exposed to fire, concrete can fall away and cause spalling.
- This may expose steel and the steel may lose its strength.
Masonry risks
- When exposed to fires they can be weakened by the deterioration or the mortar.
- Expansion of the wall or damage to supporting/connecting structural members.
- Signs of weakness/damage include: cracking, leaning, bowing or collapse or floors, walls.
Common methods for starting fires
- Candles
- Chemical igniters.
- Electric aparatus
- Electric matches
- Matches, cigarettes.
- Molotov cocktails
- Trailers
- Timing devices
What must Police consider when guarding a fire scene
- ensuring the scene is not interfered with
- exclusion and control of on-lookers, property owners and other interested parties
- preserving evidence
- preventing looting.
- be aware of re-ignition from hotspots after the fire is extinguished
- be vigilant and watch for possible suspects
- identify any witnesses among onlookers and passers-by
- report all matters of significance to the O/C investigation and/or scene co-ordinator.
What can Police do in regards to scene presevation
1) scope -How much needs to be preserved
2) Cordon- ID centre of the scene, tape outside most obvious bit of evidence that is furthest from the centre of the scene
3) Common approach path- reduces contamination
When it is difficult to preserve a scene
- sketches
- photographs
- plans
- video recordings.
