Mass Questions Flashcards
What is the memorandum of understanding between Police and FENZ? EC & E & IC PC
- Investigation 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 enquiries.
The Fire Service will notify the Police if:
‑ a fire results in serious injury or death;
or
‑ a fire is considered suspicious.
Police have established Fire Investigation Liaison Officer (FILO) positions within each Police district.
FILOs have responsibility for:
(list 4)
‑ attending every fire that results in serious injury or death;
- assisting areas or districts with fire investigation‐related queries;
‑ arranging Police attendance at fire scenes where required
‑ providing other advice and expertise as required.
Fire Service Investigation Liaison Officers (FSILOs) have responsibility for:
‑ arranging Fire Service Specialist Fire Investigator attendance at fire scenes where requested by
Police;
‑ establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with relevant Police Fire Investigation
Liaison Officers (FILOs), in the respective Police districts/areas.
When would a fire service specialist fire investigators be called to attend and investigate?
- Fires involving a fatality
- Fire where serious (life threatening) fire related injury has occurred.
- Structure fires where the cause is suspicious.
- Any other fire, upon request from Police or another agency.
Fire Scene examination and Investigation (After the fire has been extinguished) (HAPI) Specialist Fire investigator will liaise with FILO to these matters;
Specialist Fire investigator will liaise with FILO to these matters;
- Handover of the scene
- Access to the fire scene
- Process for examination and investigation
- Identification and collection of evidence at the fire scene
The Specialist Fire Investigator will conduct an independent investigation into the origin and cause of the fire.
What are four responsibilities Police retain when it comes to Arson investigations.
- Conduct the criminal investigation or coronial enquiry
- Protection, collection and recording of forensic evidence
- Collection and removal of material from a fire crime scene will only be done by Police or other agencies with authority to remove these items
- The preservation, analysis and subsequent disposition of any such material is the responsibility of the Police or other agency with the appropriate authority
Injuries through hazards
At a fire scene most injuries are received from these hazards:
‑ Cuts/wounds from sharp objects
‑ Tripping on fire debris
‑ Ingestion of particles etc.
‑ Items from above falling onto you or hitting objects and causing a chain reaction.
Initial Action when dealing with fires Not involving explosives:
What to consider when identifying the best method of protection in relation to fire safety hazards
- An assessment of each hazard
- A strategy to prevent an occurrence or to mitigate its impact
Clothing protection
Protective clothing must be used by the on‐scene investigator. These items are required:
‑ a suitable helmet (that complies with the relevant safety standard)
‑ a pair of overalls
‑ gloves
‑ safety glasses
Effect of Fire on:
- Timber
- Steel
- Concrete
- Masonry
Timber - Burn and char - if members are thick enough the will maintain integrity
Steel - Expand and eventually collapse
Concrete - Spalling (break away at surface), expose steel reinforcing, subject to collapse
Masonry - Weaken the mortar, expand, collapse
List four common methods of setting fires
Candles
Electrical apparatus
Matches and cigarette
Molotov cocktails
Electrical apparatus
Appliances are left turned on in circumstances that will cause a fire. Some examples are:
‑ A bar heater turned to face a wall or item of furniture.
‑ An iron left flat on a surface.
‑ A pop‐up toaster with the lever tied down, so that material left inside will ignite.
‑ A pan of fat or flammable liquid left on the stove; or a vat of fat in a fish and chip shop.
Non‐intentional causes of fire
Carelessness can occur with:
‑ Setting off fireworks
- Smoking
- Leaving a stove or heater on
‑ children playing with matches or cigarette lighters
Non‐intentional causes of fire
Faults, can occur in the following:
- Appliances
- Heating systems
- Broken power lines
- Electrical wiring
Non- intentional causes of fire - Nature:
Fires can be caused naturally by any combination of fuel, heat source and air. Factors include:
‑ the sun’s rays
‑ lightning
‑ static electricity
‑ rodents eating through wiring, or building nests out of flammable material
What are four steps of Initial Action when dealing with fires Not involving explosives
- Secure and Control Scene
- Interview informant (may be offender), fire investigator, OC of first fire appliance and incident controller
- Ensure safety of scene before initial conference
- If suspicious then re-group and hold briefing conference
Initial action when dealing with fires not involving explosives
Interview the incident controller at the scene and find out:
(4 points)
‑ the time and date of the call and the manner in which it was received.
‑ what appliances attended.
‑ the state of the fire when the Fire Service arrived.
‑ what action the Service has taken, particularly in entering the building and ventilating it after
the fire.
Initial action when dealing with fires not involving explosives
Interviewing witnesses at the scene
It is the purpose of these initial interviews to gain knowledge about the sequence of events before, during
and after the fire that may have a bearing on the investigation.
Interview witnesses, including: (list 4)
- Fire fighters
- Neighbors
- Passers by
- Spectators
Preserving a fire scene - Guarding and controlling the scene
The Fire Service will ensure the scene is secured while the fire is extinguished.
Four Scene security considerations for Police are
‑ ensuring the scene is not interfered with
‑ exclusion and control of on‐lookers, property owners and other interested parties
‑ preserving evidence
‑ preventing looting.
Preserving a fire scene - Guarding and controlling the scene
Attending Police should also be conscious of the following four matters:
‑ 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.
Preserving a fire scene - Guarding and controlling the scene
Scope and Cordon - how much of the area needs to be preserved?
SCOPE – How much area needs to be preserved?
- Single room
- Entire building
- A large area that includes a building or buildings; and
- Large outside area
Apply the investigation process and make an informed decision as to where most of the information you require is located, and what needs to be preserved.
CORDON – Make cordons as wide as practical
- Identify the centre of the scene
- Tape of outside, what is considered to be the most obvious item of evidence that is furthest away from the centre of the scene
Define what a ‘Common approach Path’ is
All traffic through the scene should be limited to ‘corridors’, i.e. the paths which will keep disturbance of the
scene to a minimum.
Where it is difficult to preserve the scene
In certain circumstances, such as demolition of specific areas due to safety, it may be difficult to preserve
the scene. In cases such as this the investigator must record the scene, prior to demolition, by:
‑ sketches
‑ photographs
‑ plans
‑ video recordings.
