Lists Flashcards
Section 28 of the Fire Service Act 1975 gives The person in charge of the Fire Services powers to do the following 5 things:
(1) Enter private property
(2) Close roads
(3) Remove vehicles
(4) Remove people
(5) Do anything reasonably necessary to protect life and property.
Can police exercise section 28 powers if called upon to do so by a member of the Fire Service in charge?
Yes, but only if called upon to do so. (The powers are not automatic)
In the memorandum of understanding, the Fire service will notify police of a fire if:
(1) it results in serious injury or death
(2) a fire is suspicious
Fire Investigation Liaison Officer (FILO) have responsibility for: (List 4)
(1) attending every fire that results in serious injury or death
(2) Co-ordinate fire investigations
(3) Co-ordinate fire investigation training
(4) Provide other advice and expertise as required
List four situations where a Specialist Fire Investigator will be called:
(1) Fatalities occurs
(2) Serious injury
(3) Suspicious structure-fires
(4) Significant spread across a property boundary
(5) Safety feature failed
What are the two responsibilities of a
Fire Service Investigation Liaison Officer (FSILO)
(1) Arranging the attendance of a Fire Service Specialist Fire Investigator where requested by Police.
(2) Managing working relationships with Police Investigation Liaison Officers in respective Police districts.
Fire scene control, notification, and hand over.
List the 6 stages.
(1) Fire Service has control while the fire is in progress and threat to life or property exists.
(2) Fire Service will notify Police if deliberately lit, suspicious, fatal or serious injuries.
(3) For scene authority, Police will confer with Incident Controller to confirm handover process.
(4) Fire Service will handover once dangers have been identified, eliminated or minimised.
(5) Multi agency development of an Investigation Plan.
(6) Investigation Plans includes agency roles and processes.
What are the 2 responsibilities of Police at a fire scene?
(1) conduct the criminal investigation or coronial enquiry
(2) collect, protect and record forensic evidence.
Fire scene safety.
Investigators often find themselves doing what 2 things?
(1) searching through unstable structures
(2) excavating the scene to identify the cause of the fire.
List four hazards at a fire scene?
(1) debris falling from above
(2) Tripping on debris
(3) Falling into cavities
(4) Inhaling toxic particles
List 4 examples of timing devices?
(1) Sting attached to an alarm winder click
(2) A balance that tips when a leaking vessel shift the the balance to trip the device
(3) Incense sticks
(4) Electrical timers
List 4 examples of trailers?
(1) Kerosene soaked rags
(2) wax paper
(3) Potato chip bags
(4) Liquid accelerant
List 4 causes of careless non-intentional fires?
(1) Misuse of electricty
(2) Smoking
(3) Welding
(4) setting off fireworks
List 4 causes of fault related fires?
(1) Faulty appliances
(2) Chimney fires
(3) Extractor fans
(4) TV’s left on standby
List 4 natural causes of fires?
(1) Lightning
(2) Chemical reactions
(3) The sun’s rays
(4) Pests eating through cables
What are the 8 step of initial action at a fire scene?
(1) Interview the informant
(2) Secure the scene
(3) Interview the SFI or O/C of first appliance
(4) Interview incident controller
(5) Ensure scene is safe
(6) Hold briefing conference
(7) Enact plan of action
(8) COMMS SITREP
List 4 witnesses who could potentially be interviewed:
(1) The person who raised the alarm
(2) Spectators
(3) Firefighters
(4) Owners
List 4 security consideration when securing a scene?
(1) Scene is not interfered with
(2) Exclude interested parties
(3) Preserving evidence
(4) Prevent Looting
What are the 3 things to consider in scene preservation?
(1) The scope of the area to be preserved
(2) Make cordons as wide as possible
(3) Determine a common approach path, clear corridors first.
List 4 ways to record a scene prior to demolition:
(1) Sketches
(2) Photographs
(3) Plans
(4) Video
How should ‘spoil’ be dealt with?
It should be laid out methodically so it can be re-examined knowing where each pile came from.
This should be done in the warm zone.
A SFI should be present whenever police are required to attend. One or more other personnel should be present. List 4:
(1) ESR
(2) Photographer
(3) FILO
(4) Insurance assessor
The point of origin is the exact location where…(list three possibilities)
(1) A component failed
(2) A fire was lit, or
(3) an accidental fire originated.
External examination takes into account several things (list 4).
(1) Adjoining Premises
(2) Distance debris has been scattered
(3) Yards and out building
(4) Alleyways
List 4 things an External examination may reveal:
(1) accelerant containers
(2) missing property
(3) business appears to be struggling
(4) property run down
An examination of the structure may reveal evidence, list 3 examples:
(1) jemmy marks
(2) glass broken before the fire
(3) ‘V’ patterns
List 4 things that are worth noting during a Preliminary Internal Examination:
(1) Accelerant trails
(2) low stock levels
(3) missing family photographs
(4) separate seats of fire
List 4 things that would be noted in the Detailed Internal Examination with the SFI:
(1) Glass crazing
(2) spalling
(3) damage to window sills and door edges
(4) under floor inspection
At the conclusion of the SFI investigation he should have determined the follow three things:
(1) Area of origin
(2) Point of origin
(3) Seat of the fire
At the conclusion of the SFI investigation he should have determined the follow three things:
(1) Area of origin
(2) Point of origin
(3) Seat of the fire
List 4 things the SFI will consider in determining the seat of the Fire?
(1) Witness reports
(2) Others experts
(3) Depth of Charing
(4) Presence of starting devices
List 4 things that may be considered as evidence of accelerants:
(1) Containers
(2) Uneven burning
(3) Multiple seats
(4) Smell
List 4 possible examples of evidence of intentional interference:
(1) Tampering with alarms or sprinklers
(2) Inconsistencies in burn pattern
(3) Misdirecting fire fighters
(4) Evidence of removal of property
What are the 3 steps when seizing exhibits?
(1) Photograph in situ
(2) Use approved Arson kits
(3) Take control samples of charred timber, accelerants and soil where possible. Take control samples of in burned areas near the fire.
How are exhibits placed in an exhibit tin?
As can rust, First place exhibits in a nylon bag that has been sealed by a goose neck fold. Use oven bags if an alternative is required.
List 4 things that should be covered off in an area enquiry:
(1) Speak to other similar premises to see if other Arson attempts have been made
(2) Preliminary interview of the owner.
(3) Note owners demeanour
(4) Provide sitrep to supervisor
Give 4 reasons why a Conference must be held at the scene?
(1) Reconstruction
(2) Establish motive
(3) Identify suspects
(4) plan further enquiries
List four people who could attend a Conference?
(1) O/C CIB
(2) Fire Investigation Liaison Officer
(3) Specialist Fire Investigator
(4) SOCO
List four people who could attend a Conference?
(1) O/C CIB
(2) Fire Investigation Liaison Officer
(3) Specialist Fire Investigator
(4) SOCO
The Conference must be chaired by one of the three following people:
(1) The Fire Investigation Liaison Officer
(2) The Crime Scene Coordinator
(3) The most senior police officer present
Why is the Conference important?
It forms the basis of your investigation and your risk assessment.
What happens when decisions are made during the conference?
They are recorded along with the reasons why they were made.
What happens to the risk assessment?
It is documented and relayed to all persons.
List two people who should ideally be present when removing a body?
(1) Pathologist
(2) Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team member.
What is the best way to package a body?
(1) Bubble wrap
(2) A clearly marked protective box
List the 6 steps of general enquiries (non explosives)?
(1) Send articles to ESR for analysis
(2) Create Offence Report in NIA
(3) Obtain photos and the report from SFI
(4) Media reports
(5) Interviews
(6) Area canvas
List 4 ways a suspect may be identified:
(1) Finger prints
(2) informants
(3) media response
(4) Circumstances of the Fire
List the 7 things that must be in your report:
T(1) Introduction
(2) Information about the property
(3) Circumstances and Events leading up to the fire
(4) Value of damage
(5) Results of investigation
(6) Information on Insurance
(7) Results of general enquiries
What are the 7 normal steps of a Fire investigation?
(1) Information gathering
(2) Scene examination
(3) Debris examination
(4) Product examination
(5) Analysis and testing
(6) Opinion formulation
(7) Reporting data and opinions
Where an electrical fire could be suspected, what must you record?
I in your notes, plot the location of the power supply, the meters, switchboard, and any wiring and switch and outlets.
In the case of fires caused by explosive devices, what is the minimum evacuation distance?
100m
List 4 items contained in the Fire Investigation Arson Kit?
(1) Tins
(2) Nylon bags
(3) Tissues
(4) pipette
(5) labels
(6) Instruction sheet
How much of the Arson kit gets sent back to ESR (what about the unused portion)?
All of it gets sent back
What is the rural fire fighter fund?
What needs to have taken place before a fund application is made?
It is a pool of money to assist rural fire fighters to suppress rural fires. Upon application a full investigation needs to have taken place.
Can you disclose criminal records to other agencies ?
No (not at unless the suspect is eligible under the Criminal Records Clean Slate Act).
