2. Importance of First Responders to the Fire Investigation
First responders see the scene in its most pristine condition and have the opportunity to observe that
First responders affect the integrity of the scene and its evidence through their actions and inactions
First responders have choices in suppression and overhaul that affect the patterns and evidence left behind for interpretation by the fire investigator

3. Observe: FIRES Fire characteristics and behavior:
Color of smoke and flames
Velocity of smoke
Light push or heavy push
Height and level of flames
Any odors
Fire behavior

4. Observe: FIRES
Individuals, including the demeanor, dress, location, injuries, smells, behavior, and statements of:
Victims
Witnesses
Crowd members
People leaving the scene

5. Observe: FIRES Response:
Whether burglar and smoke alarms were sounding
Fire attack pattern
Suppression tactics
Overhaul actions
Moving furniture and contents
Changing the position of any items

6. Observe: FIRES Entry and exit points:
Condition of doors and windows upon arrival
Were doors and windows were closed or open? Locked or unlocked?
Whether or not door had to be forced to make entry
Condition of utilities upon arrival
Who or what broke windows

7. Observe: FIRES Strange:
Any item, condition, or absence of an item or condition that seems unusual, out of the ordinary, unexpected, or out of place
Poor housekeeping
Evidence of a possible crime

8. Implement: Details for Our Unit
WHAT observations you are responsible for making:
List

9. Preserve
Maintain the scene as close as possible to the condition in which it was found.
Treat the scene as a crime scene and every item as a piece of evidence.
Implement fire attack methods that preserve evidence (combination stream, avoid aiming at fire base, restrain amount of water used)

10. Preserve
Implement overhaul methods that preserve evidence (thermal imaging cameras, make small holes with poles, minimize drywall removal, do not remove items from the room, refrain from breaking out windows)
Do not move items or change positions of knobs and controls unless absolutely necessary.
Do not use gasoline-powered tools.

11. Preserve Establish one point of ingress/egress.
Limit scene access to only authorized professionals.
Log personnel in and out.
Establish a perimeter outside the scene and keep civilians out.
Cordon off deceased victims and their belongings for later processing.

12. Implement: Details for Our Unit
WHAT scene preservation actions our unit practices and WHO is responsible for implementing them:
List

13. Document
Write down your observations as soon as possible after the incident. Use the Quick Reference Guide and the Fire Incident Data Form as guides for what observations to record.
Make observations and actions a part of the formal report.

14. Implement: Details for Our Unit
HOW you are to record your observations:
Method

15. Communicate Know department policy and your chain of command.
Report your observations and actions to your supervisor, chief, Incident Commander, or other pre-designated person.
Alternatively, report directly to the fire investigator.

16. Implement: Details for Our Unit
WHO you report your observations and actions to:
Name

17. Implement: Details for Our Unit
WHAT we put in our report, WHO writes that report, and HOW you ensure that your information is included
What
Who (name)
How (mechanism)

18. Implementation Tools
Use the Quick Reference Guide: stow it in a convenient place so you can review it before and after each call, as well as use it as a guide for what observations to write down and report
Read the User’s Guide and implement some of the suggested actions.
Explore ways to make these principles an ongoing conversation for your unit (mention ideas from the Instructor’s and Supervisor’s Guide)