FIRE INVESTIGATION & EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL

Public Safety Committee

January 23, 2012

www.dallasfirerescue.com Joe Pierce Deputy Chief

Purpose

Provide an overview of the Fire Investigation and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Division

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Goals

• Improve citizens level of safety by reducing the incidence of arson fires in the City of Dallas through enforcement, awareness and intervention.

• Lower the crime rate.

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Investigators Duties

Primary Duties of Fire Investigators:

• Determine the origin and causes of fires

• Collect evidence

• File criminal charges when appropriate

• Arrest and process suspects

• Testify in criminal proceedings

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Partnerships

• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) • Dallas Police Department • Dallas County District Attorney’s Office • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) • North Texas Crime Commission • State of Texas Fire Marshals Office • Southwest Institute of Forensic Science (SWIFS) • Texas Department of Public Safety • Dallas County Sheriff’s Office

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2010-2011 Fire Statistics

• Total fire loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$35,738,819 • Incendiary fire loss . . . . . . . . . . $6,568,484 • Incendiary fires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620 • Avg. loss per incendiary fire . . . . . . $10,594

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2006-2011 Total Fire Investigations

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2006-2011 Accidental Fires

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Accidental Fires

The majority of fire loss in Dallas is due to non-intentional causes such as: human error, electrical, and mechanical malfunction.

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Accidental Fires

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Top Five Causes of Accidental Fires: 1. Electrical

2. Careless Smoking

3. Unattended Cooking

4. Combustibles Too Close To a Heat Source

5. Children Playing With Fire

2006-2011 Arson Incidents & Arrests

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What does Arson look like?

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Arson Crime Criminal Punishments

• Arson: Second Degree Felony - Texas Department

of Corrections (TDC) 2 to 20 years and up to $10,000 fine

• Arson with bodily injury, death or arson of a habitation or place of assembly or worship: First Degree Felony - TDC 5 to 99 years or

life and up to $10,000 fine • Criminal Mischief: Depends on value of property damaged or

destroyed

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Reasons Behind Arson

• For Profit • Revenge and prejudice • Vanity • Crime concealment • Psychological compulsion • Mass Civil Disturbance (Riot) • Terrorism • Gang initiations • Thrill seekers and dares

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• CrimeStoppers “Burn an Arsonist for Cold Cash” • Posting signs at fire scenes to solicit tips • Distributing flyers when canvassing neighborhoods • Press releases announcing Arson arrests • Participation in Community Programs • Intervention with Juvenile Fire Setters • Seeking grants for more resources and advertising

What are we doing about Arson?

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The J.F.I.P conducted 88 intervention

sessions last year.

Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Program (J.F.I.P.)

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Arson Clearance Rates

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The National Arson Clearance Rates: Structure Fires 23.8% Vehicle Fires 9.1% The City of Dallas Arson Clearance Rates: Structure Fires 25.2% Vehicle Fires 2.7%

Arson Clearance Rates

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NATIONAL DALLAS Structures: 23.8% 25.2% Vehicles: 9.1% 2.7%

EOD Investigators: • Render safe and/or remove suspected:

– Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) – Incendiary & Explosive Devices – Explosive Chemicals (as currently defined by

the ATF) – Pyrotechnics – Ammunition

• Conduct follow up investigations

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (E.O.D.)

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Bomb response calls…..54

Follow-ups/Investigations....59

FY 10/11 E.O.D. ACTIVITIES

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E.O.D. UPDATE

Last year 4 DFD candidates passed the selection process to become Arson Investigator/EOD Techs. These candidates have now completed: • Dallas Police Academy • HazMat Technician Training • Arson Investigator Certification

2 candidates will start FBI Hazardous Devices School in February 2012.

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Summary

More needs to be done in the following areas: • Vehicle Arson - Specifically target this growing problem • C.I.K.R.– Critical Incident and Key Resource training • Arson Awareness – Obtain more resources to combat

Arson on a community level – Obtain Grants • Work on computerization of processes • Increase training to utilize available technology and best

practices in fire investigations

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Questions?

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