Paul Carolan FIAI Aontas Náisiúnta Trodairí Dóiteáin Máirithe Na hÉireann The National Retained Firefighters Association of Ireland SIPTU Biennial Seminar 2005

Fire Investigation in Ireland ‘ Why the Fire Service must investigate Fires’

SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar Seminar theme Modernisation of the Retained Fire Services Other speakers titles; ‘Facing the Future’ ‘The Future’ ‘Re-structuring’

The fire problem in Europe Cost of fires in Europe is estimated as €280 billion and an average of 7,500 lives lost each year. Estimated that 10-25% are deliberately set fires Detection rate < 10% of deliberate fires (approx) Source Dr. Niamh NicDaeid ENFSI, Dublin IAAI Seminar 2005

20 member countries 39 Institutes Fire and Explosion Investigation working group

SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar Firefighters have a proud record of seeking to; Modernise Develop Progress Professionalise

SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar Fire Investigation –We need to start from scratch!!! We as a professional Fire Service do not investigate fires So, are we really starting from ‘Point Zero’ Do We have a problem?

SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar Fires in 2004 % unknown causes Fires since 2000 % unknown Fatal Fires in 2004 % unknown Fatal Fires since 2000 % unknown 30, % 154,978 23% (36,222) 35 51% %

SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Biennial Seminar There is an assumption that those not classified as unknown are therefore correctly determined

SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar Fire Services Website –2004 Malicious Fires –10, 705 (35%) Garda Website –2004 Arson –1,534 (1.5%) –Input Fire Brigade Stats ( 10.8%) –This would become the 5 th most frequent crime National Safety Council Fire Deaths in Ireland 2001 – 2002 DoEHLG 106 NSC 114 !!!!! People are not talking to each other

SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar “Every Fire Scene is potentially a crime scene and should be consider that until proven otherwise” Dr. John DeHaan Kirk’s Fire Investigation 5 th Ed.

‘Actions taken at the onset of an investigation at a fire and arson scene can play a pivotal role in the resolution of a case. Careful, thorough investigation is key to ensuring that potential physical evidence is not tainted or destroyed…. Source: Fire & Arson Scene Evidence Research Report, National Institute of Justice, USA SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar

Fire by its destructive nature can destroy the physical evidence that may identify its Origin Cause Development Sometimes we are to blame!!!! “ If we don’t have water flowing out, then we don’t have the fire fully out ”

SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar Must Modern Fire Services Investigate Fire Scenes? Compilation of competent records and statistics Prevent Injuries and Fatalities (Firefighter Health & Safety issues) Legal Compliance with Building Regulations / Fire Safety Support statue public Inquiries Assist Fire Research Professional training advancement Common good, Community Fire Safety Economics (Potential Income) Liability concerns (Brigade maybe in Trouble!!) Product Design Failure YES Why?

SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar Establish the most likely cause and underlying cause Understand the human behavioural and social factors Understand the reasons for fire spread / development Determine how the building / materials behaved in the fire Assess the effectiveness of the Fire Safety Precautions Develop quality data for Fire Service and other agencies

SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar So why are we not doing investigations at the moment? We are!! –But they are not roboust and we are inconsistent and our approach is unprofessional Training? –There is none! ………and we end up in Court!

SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar Fire Service Act 1981 (Section 16) Undertake or arrange for research in relation to fire or fire safety matters Carry out an investigation into any fire or any operation…..(e.g. Explosion) For the purpose of an investigation…..the FSC shall have discretion as to the manner in which the investigation shall be carried out “ We have no legal duty to investigate “

SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar Can we consider the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005? “ We have no legal duty to investigate “ Sure!!!! Employer has a duty of care to ensure that the training given will provide the Firefighter with the Knowledge and Skills to safely perform Their function. Is it reasonable for Firefighters to insist that the maximum information be obtained from fire scenes, for their continued safety and our communities Of Course It is Reasonable

SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar What must be done By whom When Who will check it done! Fire Service Personnel Agree to Modernise National Level During this Review

SIPTU National Retained Firefighters Association Biennial Seminar Fire Investigation Training Modular based Theory and Practical Focused Accredited Different levels of Competence Best Practice means re-certification Linked to National Response Guidelines Development of National Memorandum Of Understanding’s With Garda, Forensic Services Insurance Industry Revise National Incident Report Form Data linked To Garda CFS initiatives

Fire Investigators Association of Ireland

FIRE Fire Dept. Garda / Police Forensic Scientist Insurance Industry Legal Profession DPP State Pathologist Coroners Office Legislation PublicPrivate Investigators Loss Adjusters

T ogether E veryone A chieves M ore

Fire Investigators Association of Ireland Chapter 68 The International Association of Arson Investigators

Go riabh maith agaibh Paul Carolan FIAI / IAAI Ireland - Éire Chapter 68