Incendiary fires: firefighter hazards and investigation challenges

Incendiary Fires: Impact Upon Firefighters

INCENDIARY FIRES and the IMPACT UPON RESPONDING FIREFIGHTERS

The objective of this work is to discuss incendiary fires and the impact upon firefighters of these type fires.

Incendiary fires are fires that have been intentionally set by a human being. (LSU Fire & Emergency Training Institute - Glossary, 2007) Impacts of these types of fires are great and reduction of the injuries suffered by firefighters due to incendiary fires is an area that requires consideration. Furthermore, investigation of the incendiary fire requires thorough observation of the scene of the fire in order to prepare the case for successful prosecution of those charged with setting the fire.

Definition of Problem

Incendiary fires "...can have multiple points of origin and be fueled by accelerants so they burn faster and hotter which means that firefighter face the hazard of inhaling some unknown toxic substance in the course of fighting the incendiary fire. According to one report: "The three leading causes of civilian fire deaths were:

1) Smoking materials;

2) Incendiary fires; and 3) Cooking Equipment." (Gilliam, 2005)

The second problem which is identified relating to incendiary fires and their impact upon firefighters is one that has been stated in a from the city of Yakima that: "Arson investigations are labor intensive and usually require interviews/interrogations, polygraph examinations, detailed forensic photographing and evidence collection. Our experience over the last two years shows us that to thoroughly investigate a fire in one-story home averages 12 hours for two investigators and an engine crew. In 2003, the 70 fires reported as 'Arson' were confirmed incendiary fires, which successfully met the criteria (physical evidence, documentation, interviews and prosecutor input) to be labeled as such. The number 70 is simply the tip of the iceberg when examining the caseload for investigators. (City of Yakima, 2004)

According to a report entitled: "Structure Fires and Fire Deaths within the Jurisdiction of the Farmington, Missouri Fire Department" it is stated that during the period between 1998 and 2005 that approximately 20% of incendiary or suspicious fires "occurred in institutional buildings and were most likely set by prisoners, patients, or clients of these facilities." (Gilliam, 2006)

II. Development of Solution

2. Incendiary Fires: Documentation and Evidence

Secondly, in the case of scene and evidence documentation it is stated that the investigation must by "systematic and technically sound" and that: "One of the most common mistakes made in the investigations of fire scenes is the failure to examine and document the entire scene." (Burnette, 2007) No matter how solid the case is for arson certain documentation will refute the claim that the investigator might have "jumped to conclusions without considering all of the evidence. (Burnette, 2007) Documentation is included but not limited to photographic documentation and fire scene diagrams, videos, scale models, and computer graphic simulations. (Burnette, 2007; paraphrased)

Conclusion

In order to address the reduction of negative impacts of incendiary fires upon firefighters responding to fires it is important that: (1) Firefighters be properly trained and equipped for the specific dangers inherent in fighting incendiary fires, (2) Institutions who are primarily the location of incendiary fires cooperate and collaborate with fire departments; and (3) Fire departments facilitate learning among citizens about prevention of incendiary fires. Secondly, in order to properly document the incendiary fire in the case of arson, proper training and departmental assistance are required if documentation is to hold up to the scrutiny of the court proceeding.