LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
DEPARTMENTS
Fire investigation, not arson investigation—a definite and noteworthy distinction
After reading David W. Cofer’s article “Arson Investigation” in the June 1985 issue of FIRE ENGINEERING, I found that although the article contained a good deal of useful information, there are several points where I disagree.
My first point of contention is the title itself, “Arson Investigation.” For general information articles such as Mr. Cofer’s, a more appropriate title would be “Fire Investigation.” A matter of semantics? Not at all. Many times, we investigators forget that we are fire investigators and that our first responsibility is to determine the origin and cause of the fire. If arson is indeed determined, then, and only then, should we use the term arson investigator. Understanding the distinction between these two terms is necessary if we, as fire investigators, are to remain professionally objective during fire scene investigations.
Additionally, Mr. Cofer suggests that the interior investigation of a structural fire should begin in the room or area where damage is the greatest. His reasoning was that the room sustaining the greatest amount of damage probably was where the fire burned the longest, which he felt would indicate the point of origin. Under certain circumstances, that may be true. However, the fire investigator must take into consideration other factors as to why a room has heavy fire damage. Was there a heavy fire load in that room? Was access unduly difficult, allowing a longer burning time? Did rescue operations prevent an earlier attack on the fire?
It should be apparent from the examples listed above that severe fire damage alone is not indicative of fire origin. I have yet to read any other publication that suggests beginning the fire investigation in the room or area with the greatest fire damage. In fact, it has long been a practice of fire service investigators to begin the investigation from the room or area of least damage, working up to the area of heaviest damage. The principles of fire origin investigation are similar to that of cause investigation. The investigator must first eliminate where the fire did not originate; as in cause investigation, what did not cause the fire.
Finally, I disagree with Mr. Cofer’s statement regarding multiple points of origin as being virtual arson indicators. Few things in fire investigation are ever certain. A basic problem that fire investigators encounter is tunnel vision, focusing in on one indicator to the extent of excluding other pertinent information. For example, fallen curtains or drapes have been mistaken for “trailers” or “plants,” giving the sometimes false impression of separate points of origin. The important factor in determining arson is not just separate points of origin, but whether these multiple fire locations could have communicated from one location to another during natural fire progression.
Again, Mr. Cofer’s article contained some useful information; however, I felt some points of clarification were necessary.
Timothy J. Bissett Inspector
Montclair Fire Department Montclair, CA
Emergency service leaders should take full charge of emergency incidents
I read with great concern the letter from Chief C. J. Young “Cost of hazardous material protection should be offset by producers” in the June 1985 issue of FIRE ENGINEERING.
I agree with Chief Young that hazardous material manufacturers, distributors, transporters, etc., should pay for the cost to manage hazardous material accidents, but strongly disagree that fire departments should only play a secondary role in this process.
In my opinion, it is our responsibility to take the lead and to insure the quality management of hazardous material incidents. More frequently than not, fire is associated with hazardous material incidents, and for that reason, fire departments should take the lead in developing hazardous material incident and contingency plans and should play a primary role in the scene management of such incidents.
It is true that many fire departments are faced with severe budget constraints. Flowever, legislative branches of government need only analyze the devastating wildland fires that occurred in California and many other western states last summer to realize that cutting fire department personnel and funds for operational resources is just a delay in having to pay for these costs through increased insurance premiums and lost valued natural resources. The same will be true with respect to the management of hazardous material incidents. The cost for an ounce of prevention as compared to the cost for a pound of cure later will be far less if fire protection leaders head the planning, training, and development of resources to effectively manage hazardous material incidents.
Bill B. Patchell Fire Chief
Vallejo Fire Department Vallejo, CA
Volunteer fire departments should volunteer to support educational programs
The Dispatches article “Fire Management Scholarship Competition” in the July 1985 issue of FIRE ENGINEERING mentioned our company as a contributor to the scholarship program, but not the fact that we are a volunteer fire department.
I feel that this is an important distinguishment to make so as to encourage other volunteer departments to contribute to scholarship programs.
1 realize that most volunteer departments will say that they are a non-profit organization and do not contribute to other non-profit groups; and usually there is barely enough to pay bills and/or buy needed equipment.
Our department began donating funds to scholarship programs two years ago in lieu of giving a plaque, certificate, or gift to an individual who, in the eyes of our members, provided our company a special service or donation on a continuing basis, but were not members of the company directly. This would include someone who provides year-round repair service free of charge, a restaurant that provides coffee and food during a large fire, or anything that would merit such recognition over and above the normal thank you.
Since we have several members who have gone into the career fire service and have continued their education in that field, we felt that this donation was self-serving.
According to the International Association of Fire Chiefs, we were the first or only volunteer fire company to begin this practice, which led us to believe we had not only made the right move, but perhaps had taken the first step in encouraging others to do the same.
Richard A. Comer
President
South End Fire Company Engine Company 5 Winchester, VA
