Powers, Responsibilities, Safety

Question 1

Fire Service Powers (5)
S28 - Fire Service Act 1975
ECRRA

Answer 1

Enter private property when it is on fire/endangered, or when entry is essential to perform a necessary duty - 28(4)(b)

Close roads - 28(4)(h)

Remove vehicles impeding Fire Service - 28(4)(i)

Remove people in danger/interfering, using reasonable force - 28(4)(j)

Anything else reasonably necessary for the protection of life and property - 28(4)(n)

Question 2

Fire Investigation Liaison Officers (FILO)

Responsibilities (8)

Answer 2

Attending fire that results in serious injury/death

Coordinating fire investigations

Arranging Police attendance

Maintaining effective working relationships with Fire Service

Assisting with fire investigation queries

Maintain comms with Police National Fire Investigation Co-ordinator, District Intel Manager and District Manager Criminal Investigations

Co-ordinate fire investigation training.

Provide other advice and expertise

Question 3

Specialist Fire Investigators

Will be called to attend and investigate… (7)

Answer 3

Fires where fatalities occur

Fires where serious (life-threatening) fire-related injury has occurred

Structure fires where the cause is suspicious or cannot be determined

Significant fire spread across a property boundary

fires in a building where built-in safety features have failed or not met standards

Structure fires of 3rd alarm equivalent (at least 6 appliance) or greater, that may have significant regional or national consequence

Any other fire, upon request from Police or another agency

Question 4

Fire Service Investigation Liaison Officers (FSILO)

Responsibilities (2)

Answer 4

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)

Question 5

Fire Scene Control, Notification & Handover

6 points

Answer 5

1. Fire Service has authority while fire is in progress. Once extinguished and threat to life/property no longer exists, hand over to appropriate person/agency.
2. Fire Service will notify Police if deliberately lit or suspicious. Also notify where fatalities or serious (life-threatening) injuries occur.
3. Where Police attend and seek authority over scene, designated Police Investigating Officer will confer with the Incident Controller to confirm the handover process.
4. Fire Service will not normally handover until the danger of fire, structural collapse, exposure to dangerous products of combustion or other hazards have been identified and eliminated, isolated or minimised.
5. For any scene involving multiple agencies, all agencies will consult prior to investigation or scene exam to develop an investigation plan.
6. The investigation plan will include an outline of how the investigation will proceed and the role of each agency.

Question 6

Hazards Causing Injury (7)

Answer 6

Inhalation of toxic substances

Ingestion of particles

Cuts/wounds from sharp objects

Air borne dusts, particles, etc

Tripping on fire debris

Falling down, over, onto or into any obstruction or cavities

Items from above falling onto you or hitting objects and causing a chain reaction.

Question 7

Clothing Protection (6)

Answer 7

Suitable helmet

Overalls

Nose and mouth filter, respirator or full BA

Gloves

Safety glasses

Heavy duty footwear - steel soles and toe caps