FIRE INVESTIGATORSAFETY & EQUIPMENT

Instructor Rich Musicant

Learning Objectives•To NEVER get injured or killed•Identify and understand common hazards associated with fire investigations.

•Identify and understand safe practices for fire investigations •Identify equipment used for fire investigations

A word on SAFETY

Fire scenes by their nature are dangerous places. Fire investigators

have a duty to themselves and to others who may be endangered at fire scenes to exercise due caution during

their investigations.

Getting Started

As in most endeavors, PROPER PRIOR PLANNING is the best way to avoid injuries. This includes:

•Knowing what you’re getting into

•Having the proper equipment

Preparing for the Investigation

•Type and magnitude of fire

•Status of incident

•Time of day & weather

•Type of area

•Other Hazards

Preparation

•Number of investigators

•Safety equipment

•Tools

•Special resources

Based on initial information, you can begin to formulate a plan for

the investigation

What would you bring?

•Number of investigators•Safety equipment•Tools•Special resources

0230 hrs mid February, residential fire, contained to bedroom, fire

damage to one room, smoke and heat damage throughout.

What would you bring?

•Number of investigators•Safety equipment•Tools•Special resources

1900 hrs May 10th, fire in a 2 story manufacturing plant, heavy fire smoke

and heat damage throughout structure, reported explosions of 55

gal drums.

What would you bring?

•Number of investigators•Safety equipment•Tools•Special resources

0100 hrs November 12, fatal fire, 1 victim, 2 story residential with

attached garage, heavy fire damage to entire structure.

Basic Safety Equipment

Whenever you go on a fire investigation you should have the

following basic safety items readily available.

•Identification

- Badge and/or ID card

- Accountability tag

Basic Safety Equipment

•Protective over-garment

- Nomex or tyvek coveralls

- Turnout gear

- Overcoat / raincoat

Basic Safety Equipment

•Gloves

- Latex gloves

- Work gloves

ALWAYS try to avoid touching anything on a fire scene with your bare hands.

Basic Safety Equipment

•Footwear

- Work boots

- Rubber boots

•Eye protection

- Goggles

- Safety glasses

Basic Safety Equipment

•Head Protection (Brain bucket)

- Fire helmet

- Plastic hard hat

•Portable lighting

- Flashlight

- Spotlights

Basic Safety Equipment

•Communications

- Radio

- Cell phone

•Personal sidearm (police investigators)

Advanced Safety Equipment

Some fire scenes require more advanced safety equipment for completing investigations. This

equipment may not always be readily available

Advanced Safety Equipment

•Air monitoring devices

- Personal gas detectors

- Multi gas meters

•Lock out / tag out kits

•Life lines

Advanced Safety Equipment

•Respiratory Protection

- Particle mask

- Respirator

- Powered air purifying respirator- Self Contained Breathing Apparatus

Advanced Safety Equipment

•Hazardous Materials Ensemble

- Level A

- Level B

- Level C

- Level D

If you are using this gear, you need decon resources in place BEFORE you

start your investigation.

Advanced Safety Equipment

•Hazardous Materials Ensemble

If you find that you need any ensemble above level D , ask yourself how

important it is to be in there for an investigation.

Reporting to the sceneResponding to the fire scene is similar

to an emergency response, but generally not as time sensitive. When driving, you should always take care

to arrive safely.

Make sure your vehicles are positioned so they don’t block other

vehicles at the fire scene

Reporting to the scene

Upon arrival notify the incident commander and accountability officer

when required.

If fire units have cleared the scene before you arrive, make sure someone

knows where you are and what you are doing.

Scene size up

Before you begin an investigation, you should assess the scene for potential

hazards.

There are many factors to consider before any investigators should enter

the structure

Scene size up

•Assessing the scene

- Utilities secured

- Structural stability

- Air monitoring

- Stage of the incident

Safety IssuesThe fireground typically has many

substances which may be hazardous to your health. These substances

may enter the body one of the following ways:

•Ingestion

•Inhalation

•Injection

•Absorption

Safety Issues

As an investigator you will come into contact with any number of these

substances that could be harmful to you. It’s important to limit your exposure as

much as possible.

•Pyrolized materials

•Accelerants

•Contaminated water run-off

Safety Issues

•Body substance isolation

•Hand washing

•Equipment decon

- Latex gloves

- Protective clothing

Safety Issues

•Slip and fall

•Environmental

- Wet surfaces

- Ice

- Heat stress

- Hypothermia / frostbite

- Structural defects

Safety IssuesWhat lies beneath…

Nails

Broken glassSplintered wood

Other sharp metal

Who knows what else ???

Safety IssuesFatigue

Depending on the circumstances, fire investigations may be a prolonged

operation. Be aware that fatigue may set in and effect your physical and

mental abilities.

10 Rules for Investigator Safety

1. Know what you’re getting into

2. The only life hazard at a fire investigation is the one YOU create for yourself.

3. There’s no reason to rush… The fire won’t unburn

4. Know where you’re stepping

10 Rules for Investigator Safety

5. Know what you’re cutting and what it’s connected to

6. If you’re using tools, know how to use them properly

7. If you get hurt and there’s nobody that knows about it, you’re still hurt.

8. Know what you’re touching

10 Rules for Investigator Safety

9. If you didn’t personally see the utilities secured, consider them HOT.

10. There is NOTHING in there worth your life.

Tools

ToolsA variety of tools may be required to complete your fire investigation. It is important for you as the investigator

to know what you will need to complete the job.

Tools

Shovel

Broom

Rake

The “big three”

ToolsThe “little three”

Tools

ToolsGetting to the bottom of things…

Take care of your tools !!!

As in most professions, you must take proper care of your tools. It’s

important not only to use them properly, but also to maintain them

and store them with care.

Tool care and maintenance

Maintaining your fire investigation tools is especially important due to the hazard of

cross-contamination.

It’s also a health hazard to let some substances acquire in your vehicle or

storage areas

Dirty Gear

Isolate dirty or contaminated tools and gear from the clean equipment.

Tool care and maintenance

Clean your tools after each use so you don’t cross contaminate fire scenes or evidence.

Avoid putting tools away dirty !!!

Tool cleaning

Clean your tools with a mild detergent in a clean environment. Allow them to dry

properly and prevent rust from forming.

Tool storage

Keep your tools in a safe clean place free of contaminants. Whenever possible you

should keep your tools under lock and key.

Tool safetyIt’s especially important to know the proper

use of your tools and how to use them safely. If you’re unsure how to use a certain tool, be sure to get instruction and practice

if you can.

Other tools

A small toolbox may be helpful during investigations.

Scene documentation

Scene documentation

Photo equipmentDigital camera

Photo equipment35 mm camera

Evidence collection

Evidence collectionAbsorption materials

Thank you !

For your patience and your attention

Questions…

Comments…

Concerns…