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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.
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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
Fire and Explosion Investigation working group 20 member countries 39 Institutes
SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar Firefighters have a proud record of seeking to; Modernise Develop Progress Professionalise
SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar • 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?
30, 784 SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar 27% 154,978 23% (36,222) 35 Fires in 2004 % unknown causes Fires since 2000 % unknown Fatal Fires in 2004 % unknown Fatal Fires since 2000 % unknown 51% 218 44%
There is an assumption that those not classified as unknown are therefore correctly determined SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Biennial Seminar
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 crime SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar National Safety Council Fire Deaths in Ireland 2001 – 2002 DoEHLG 106 NSC 114 !!!!! People are not talking to each other
SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar “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 SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar
SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar Fire by its destructive nature can destroy the physical evidence that may identify its Origin Cause Development “ If we don’t have water flowing out, then we don’t have the fire fully out ” Sometimes we are to blame!!!!
SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar • Must Modern Fire Services Investigate Fire Scenes? YES Why? • 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
SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar 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
SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar • 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!
“ We have no legal duty to investigate “ SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar 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 “ SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar Sure!!!! Employer has a duty of care to ensure that the training given will provide the Firefighterwith the Knowledge and Skills to safely perform Their function. Can we consider the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005? 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
SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar • What must be done • By whom • When • Who will check it done! Agree to Modernise National Level During this Review Fire Service Personnel
SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar Fire Investigation Training Linked to National Response Guidelines Revise National Incident Report Form Modular based Theory and Practical Focused • Data linked • To • Garda • CFS initiatives Accredited Development of National Memorandum Of Understanding’s With Garda, Forensic Services Insurance Industry Different levels of Competence Best Practice means re-certification
Private Investigators Public Coroners Office Legislation Fire Dept. State Pathologist FIRE Garda / Police Forensic Scientist Loss Adjusters DPP Insurance Industry Legal Profession
Together Everyone Achieves More
Fire Investigators Association of Ireland Chapter 68 The International Association of Arson Investigators
Go riabh maith agaibhPaul CarolanFIAI / IAAI Ireland - ÉireChapter 68www.fireinvestigation.ie