Fire Investigators from across the State attended this course to further enhance their technical knowledge and skill level in the area of structural fire investigation.
The first section of the course was delivered as a theoretical session which allowed the personnel to obtain an update of what has occurred and what is new in regards to the CFA Fire Investigation Program and fire investigation techniques.
Subjects that were covered as part of this session included:
- Scene Safety for Fire Investigators
- Suspicious Fires “Hot Spots” Maps
- Fire Investigations conducted across the State
- Fire Investigation Management System (FIMS)
- Fire Investigation Scene Folders
- Compiling Fire Investigation Reports
- Evidence Collection
- Recent Fire Trends identified
- Product Safety Recalls
- Outcomes from recent Court Cases that Fire Investigators have attended
Following this session, the Fire Investigators were divided into three (3) Fire Investigation Teams. The teams were tasked to investigate a structural room fire scene.
Prior to the courses commencing a number of room burns were completed in the purpose built Fire Investigation Rooms at Fiskville. Each tilt slab room was fitted out with plastered walls, carpet, windows, fittings and fixtures. The rooms were also fully furnished with a variety of pieces of furniture, appliances and items that would be consistent with rooms such as a kitchen, bedroom or a lounge room.
The Guest Instructors for the courses developed different “real life” scenarios for each of the rooms. As part of the process with the course, the rooms were filmed before the ignition of the fires to record what the rooms looked like and the placement of furnishings and items prior to the fires occurring. The rooms were then filmed from the ignition of the fire through the different stages of fire development and to the extinguishment of the fire.
The Fire Investigation Teams were briefed on the background details regarding the fire and then they attended the scene to conduct the investigation into the fire. Each Fire Investigation Team was required to investigate the fire scene to establish the origin and cause of the fire.
To ensure that the scenes are as realistic as possible the teams were provided a number of witnesses during the course of their investigation. Witnesses included the Incident Controller and/or first Fire-fighter on scene, attending Police Officers, the owner or occupier of the property, neighbours, etc.
The Fire Investigation Teams completed the investigation into the origin and cause of the fire using the fire investigation techniques and principles that they had previously been taught.
Following the completion of the investigation, the Fire Investigation Teams were required to prepare a report outlining their findings into the origin and cause of the fire and present this to the class.
Once each of the Fire Investigation Teams had completed their presentations, the footage showing each of the different room scenarios was shown, including how the fires were ignited and the fire development.
Overall the course was well received by the Fire Investigators who attended and allowed them the opportunity to further enhance their knowledge and skills in the area of structural fire investigation.
Further information relating to the CFA Fire Investigation Program can be obtained via the CFA Intranet / Brigades on Line websites at: Fire & Emergencies > Fire Investigation
State Fire Investigation Coordinator Nicole Harvey
Subscribe to this comment's feed
