Tuesday, Fire Marshals hosted a class on fire scene preservation, fire investigations, and provided a general overview of the responsibilities of the Fire Marshal’s Office at Fire Station 2. Firefighters were instructed on what Fire/Arson investigators are looking for in determining the origin, cause of a fire and how to be mindful of evidence during fire suppression activities along with completing overhaul of the fire scene. Overhaul of a fire is when firefighters check for fire extension after putting out the fire to ensure that the fire has not extended into void spaces within a structure. Deputy Chief- Assistant Fire Marshal Lee Darrow and Deputy Fire Marshal Larry Suniga taught the class. They were clear on not letting investigations hamper firefighting efforts, but a small amount of action to preserve signs of the fire origin could significantly help in determining the origin and cause of a fire. The science of fire investigations is a forensic process that allows the investigators to follow a scientific method to determine not only the origin and cause but also to determine if the fire was an intentional act (Arson) or an unintentional act (such as a cooking fire, unattended candle, or a failure of a piece of equipment). As part of the investigation for unintentional fires, the investigators look for ways to educate the public on how these fire could have been prevented through public education and community outreach activities.
