Aontas Náisiúnta Trodairí Dóiteáin Máirithe Na hÉireann

Paul Carolan FIAI

Aontas Náisiúnta Trodairí Dóiteáin Máirithe Na

hÉireann

The National Retained Firefighters Association of Ireland

SIPTU Biennial Seminar 2005

Fire Investigation in Ireland

‘Why the Fire Service must investigate Fires’

SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar

Seminar theme

•Modernisation of the Retained Fire Services

•Other speakers titles;

•‘Facing the Future’

•‘The Future’

•‘Re-structuring’

The fire problem in Europe

Cost of fires in Europe is estimated as €280 billion and an average of 7,500 lives lost each year.

Estimated that 10-25% are deliberately set fires

Detection rate < 10% of deliberate fires (approx)

Source Dr. Niamh NicDaeid ENFSI, Dublin IAAI Seminar 2005

20 member countries39 Institutes

Fire and Explosion Investigation working group


•Firefighters have a proud record of seeking to;

•Modernise

•Develop

•Progress

•Professionalise


• Fire Investigation – We need to start from scratch!!!

• We as a professional Fire Service do not investigate fires

So, are we really starting from ‘Point Zero’

Do We have a problem?


Fires in 2004

% unknown causes

Fires since 2000

% unknown

Fatal Fires in 2004

% unknown

Fatal Fires since 2000

% unknown

30, 784

27%

154,978

23% (36,222)

35

51%

218

44%

SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Biennial Seminar

There is an assumption that those not classified as unknown are therefore correctly determined


• Fire Services Website– 2004

• Malicious Fires– 10, 705 (35%)

• Garda Website– 2004

• Arson– 1,534 (1.5%)

– Input Fire Brigade Stats ( 10.8%)

– This would become the 5th most frequent crimeNational Safety Council

Fire Deaths in Ireland

2001 – 2002

DoEHLG 106

NSC 114 !!!!!

People are not talking to each other


“Every Fire Scene is potentially a crime scene and should be consider that until

proven otherwise”

Dr. John DeHaan Kirk’s Fire Investigation 5th Ed.

‘Actions taken at the onset of an investigation at a fire and arson scene can play a pivotal role in the

resolution of a case.

Careful, thorough investigation is key to ensuring that potential physical evidence is not tainted or

destroyed….

Source: Fire & Arson Scene Evidence Research Report, National Institute of Justice, USA



Fire by its destructive nature can destroy the physical evidence that may

identify its •Origin •Cause

•Development

Sometimes we are to blame!!!!“ If we don’t have water flowing out,

then we don’t have the fire fully

out ”


Must Modern Fire Services Investigate Fire Scenes?

• Compilation of competent records and statistics

• Prevent Injuries and Fatalities (Firefighter Health & Safety issues)

• Legal Compliance with Building Regulations / Fire Safety

• Support statue public Inquiries

• Assist Fire Research

• Professional training advancement

• Common good, Community Fire Safety

• Economics (Potential Income)

• Liability concerns (Brigade maybe in Trouble!!)

• Product Design Failure

YES Why?


• Establish the most likely cause and underlying cause

•Understand the human behavioural and social factors

•Understand the reasons for fire spread / development

•Determine how the building / materials behaved in the fire

•Assess the effectiveness of the Fire Safety Precautions

•Develop quality data for Fire Service and other agencies


• So why are we not doing investigations at the moment?

• We are!!– But they are not roboust and we are

inconsistent and our approach is unprofessional

• Training?– There is none! ………and we end up in Court!


Fire Service Act 1981 (Section 16)

•Undertake or arrange for research in relation to fire or fire safety matters

•Carry out an investigation into any fire or any operation…..(e.g. Explosion)

•For the purpose of an investigation…..the FSC shall have discretion as to the manner in which the

investigation shall be carried out

“ We have no legal duty to investigate “


Can we consider the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005?

“ We have no legal duty to investigate “

Sure!!!! Employer has a duty of care to ensure

that the training given will provide the Firefighter

with the Knowledge and Skills to safely perform

Their function.

Is it reasonable for Firefighters to insist that the maximum information be obtained from fire scenes,

for their continued safety and our communities

Of Course

It is

Reasonable


• What must be done

• By whom

• When

• Who will check it done! Fire Service Personnel

Agree to Modernise

National Level

During this Review


Fire Investigation Training

Modular based

Theory and Practical Focused

Accredited

Different levels of Competence

Best Practice means re-certification

Linked toNational ResponseGuidelines

Development ofNational

MemorandumOf Understanding’s

With Garda, Forensic Services

Insurance Industry

ReviseNationalIncidentReport Form

Data linkedTo

•Garda•CFS initiatives

Fire Investigators Association of Ireland

FIRE

Fire Dept.

Garda / Police

Forensic Scientist

Insurance IndustryLegal Profession

DPP

StatePathologist

Coroners Office

Legislation

PublicPrivate Investigators

LossAdjusters

Together

Everyone

Achieves

More

Fire Investigators Association of Ireland

Chapter 68

The

International Association

of

Arson Investigators

Go riabh maith agaibh

Paul Carolan

FIAI / IAAI Ireland - ÉireChapter 68

www.fireinvestigation.ie

Documents

Aontas Náisiúnta Trodairí Dóiteáin Máirithe Na hÉireann