The Round Table

The Round Table

departments

Arson is a crime which increasingly threatens the lives, property and resources of the citizens of this country-so much so that the most recently published figures of the NFPA indicate that arson fires have tripled since 1963.

Has this increase been reflected in your community? If so, what new or additional steps have you taken to combat it, such as: more comprehensive investigation of fires, better training for arson investigators and the enlistment of public support as the state of Washington recently stated.

P.O. DePrang, Jr., Director of Fire Prevention, Bossier City, La.: Our community is like any other growing community, with the increase in population, arson fires have increased.

In order to combat the increase in arson fires, the three men in the prevention bureau, have been sent to seminars and schools on arson investigation. They have received training in preserving evidence, interviewing and interrogation, court procedure and other aspects of an arson investigation. There has been very good cooperation between the detective division of the police department and the fire prevention bureau in apprehending the arsonists.

Through fire department public education programs, we are trying to educate the public as to the seriousness of the crime of arson, by bringing out such things as the cost to the general public or the businessman moneywise through increase in his insurance rates. Our main push to reach the general public has been through our local newspapers and local civic clubs.

Robert M. Torrance, Chief, Azusa, Calif.: Arson has increased in our community as throughout the entire nation. Being a town of 28,000 population and a small department, we could not afford to have an arson bureau exclusively. We have expanded our mutual aid pact with our neighboring cities and formed an arson control team (A.C.T.)

These members (with peace officers status) are called upon when needed to investigate and assist on any suspicious fires. There is no charge involved as it is a reciprocal agreement.

There are 25 fire departments and fire agencies on the team.

Leonard J. White, Chief, Dyersburg, Tenn.: In the period from January 1,1970, through July 25,1975, the City of Dyersburg had experienced 62 fires which fell under the suspicious nature fires category. Some of these fires, I feel, were not properly classified due to lack of training in arson investigation.

After my appointment in September 1975, this classification of fires did indeed drop. I feel that this was brought about due to a more comprehensive investigation of all fires. All chief officers, training officers, and the fire marshal, along with myself have attended arson seminars, and shall continue to do so in the future. I have ordered an Electronic Nose gas detector so that officers can check for vapors if there is a possibility of arson, in the event that a hydrocarbon was used to start a fire.

Gene Bennett, Chief, Anchorage, Alaska: In June of 1976, I directed that a study be undertaken concerning the problems of fire investigation as it was currently being handled. My incentive for directing such an inquiry was an alarming $1,056,750.00 arson loss for the first quarter of 1976 in this city of only 160,000 persona. My staff advised me of the following:

1. Incendiary fires and losses are at an unacceptable level, with all indications that they are going to increase.
2. The insurance industry, through the policy of subrogation, has created a condition which forces more detailed investigation of fires that are not suspicious or incendiary.
3. Fire company officers need further training in initial fire cause determination, and must be appraised of the necessity of thorough fire investigation.
4. Fire Investigation is a speciality by itself and cannot be conducted properly when personnel are wearing two hats.
5. Police investigators are not fire investigators and cannot be trained as such without specialized education and fire experience.
6. Fire investigators need police training to increase their efficiency in the execution of their responsibilities and familiarize themselves with basic police procedures.
7. Criminal records need to be updated regarding convicted arsonists and arson suspects. A Liaison should be established with other major fire departments on the West Coast to cope with the traveling arsonists.
8. A program needs to be established to involve the district attorney’s office in fire investigation and in turn, advise fire investigators what is expected of them before a case is presented for prosecution.

The preceding points led to the following specific recommendations:

1. We should establish a fire investigation uint and initially assign three men, two investigators and one working supervisor.
2. Require each man to attend the next Anchorage police department academy and complete the necessary fire investigation training as specified.
3. Request a meeting of both police agencies and the state fire marshal’s office so they are advised of our plan and seek their cooperation and assistance.
4. Meet with the district attorney to pursue the idea of assigning an assistant district attorney to work with the fire investigation unit.
5. Advise the news media of the department’s fire investigation unit and why it is being established.
6. Contact the insurance industry and request their cooperation and assistance to curb the arson trend.

After reviewing the study, it became apparent that our present methods of investigating fires were inadequate. Subsequently, a meeting was held with all parties mentioned and it was agreed to establish what is now called the Metropolitan Fire Investigation Unit. This unit consists of a commander, two inspector/investigators and one state trooper/investigator. All personnel were assigned effective November 1,1976.

Their sole responsibilty is the investigation of fires. All personnel meet the requirements recently published by N.F.P.A. 1031 for fire investigator II and commander, fire investigator III. The unit commander is active with the press through our public education officer, service organizations, private industry and other governmental organizations concerning fire investigation.

Throughout the workup of our Anchorage Arson program, we received outstanding support and guidance from Seattle Fire Chief Frank Hanson and Captain Hargett of their arson squad. I think this kind of support is vital to the redevelopment of an arson program. Because of this assistance, we were able to do in weeks what it took Seattle many months to accomplish.

One improvement we have achieved is the inclusion of a state trooper in our investigation squad. This effectively interties us with statewide law enforcement resources, and creates a statewide arson prevention influence in the long run.