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# Fire Investigation: The First Responder's Role

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Firefighters play a crucial role in successful fire investigations. As a firefighter, you are not just a first responder to the fire, but a first responder to the fire investigation as well.

You are the eyes and ears of the professionals who investigate fires to determine their origin and cause. As with any structure, the foundation is the most important part. Firefighters lay the foundation for the scene examination.

## If you are aware of the scene, you can play a vital role in preserving clues for the fire investigators.

## Responding to the scene

                - **  Did you see a car speeding away from the scene of the fire?
                - **  Did you observe any weather events that could explain the fire?
                - **  Did you pass a utility truck working on the electric lines down the street on the way to the scene?
                - **  Did you see a familiar person with bystanders that you noticed at another incident?
                - **  Was access to the property made extremely difficult?

## Observation

                - **  What did you observe on your 360?
                - **  Did you see what looked like a possible incendiary device?
                - **  Did you observe holes in the walls, ceiling or flooring that would help the fire spread?
                - **  Was the appliance plugged in before you moved it?
                - **  Were there obvious multiple fires throughout the property?
                - **  Did you discover any tampering or impedance to building fire protection systems?
                - **  Were combustibles too close to an operating heat source?

## Tactics

                - **  Did you implement any flow path controls?
                - **  Did you apply a SLICERS fire attack?
                - **  Did you use the proper hose stream? Hose stream management can positively affect the outcome of a fire investigation.

## After the fire

                - **  Were any contents obviously missing or removed prior to the fire?
                - **  Did you discover evidence of another crime (burglary, vandalism, homicide)?
                - **  What did the occupants say about the location of origin or the cause of the fire?
                - **  Do not overhaul prior to the arrival of the fire investigator.

## For more information

### Handout First Responders: Fire Investigation, Arson Laws and You!

This 2-page handout contains the tips presented above and will help you to preserve clues for investigators at the scene of a fire.

 Download the handout

### Training Fire Investigation: First Responders (0770)

View course description and offerings

This National Fire Academy course teaches the importance of fire scene awareness, evidence identification, preservation and the basics of a fire investigation. Through a fire investigation scenario, you will review the basics of fire chemistry and gain an understanding of your first responder role in fire investigation.

This course will help you to appreciate how suppression, investigation, science and law converge. Online and classroom offerings are available.

Learn more about this course

Page last reviewed: Sept. 15, 2022

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