Course details

Overview

Content

Training Methodology

Overview ?

ABOUT THE COURSE

Fire Incident Investigations are conducted to protect and preserve evidence at a fire (and therefore a potential crime) scene. This course is designed to provide an introduction to Fire Investigation and centres on scene preservation and the causes of fire. Utilising International best practice the course will promote an awareness of the need to identify and investigate the scene of suspicious/accidental fires and the need to liaise with other responding agencies to determine how they respond and work together to extinguish a fire, treat casualties, make the site safe, and preserve and examine the evidence. Delegates will develop an understanding of the chemistry of combustion, the stages and disciplines involved in reconstructing and documenting events to determine the causes of fire.

The analysis of a fire scene not only requires the investigator to determine the origin of the fire but also the cause and how the fire developed, the fire’s probable route of spread through a building and how it was extinguished. It is one of the more challenging areas of forensic science due to the multi-disciplinary nature of the investigator’s job as fires can be caused by, or involve, everyday items, the investigator also need to understand many other disciplines, such as prevention, construction, electricity, gas and even human behaviour. And ultimately therefore can be called to court as expert witnesses.

Introduction to International Fire Scene Investigation
Fire Prevention, Construction and Evacuation Plans
Fire Chemistry, Combustion and Behaviour
Safety and Management at the Fire Scene
Analysis of Fire patterns, origins, cause, scene preservation & Reports

YOU WILL LEARN

Upon Completion of the Course, Participants will be able to:

Understand the roles and responsibilities of all Emergency Responders
Methods of fire scene investigation and security.
USA NFPA 921 / 1033 & UK Chief Fire Officers Association Procedures
Fire and Explosion Dynamics
Collection and Preservation of Evidence
Origin Determination and application of burn patterns
Determination of Electrical Fire Causes

DESIGNED FOR

This introductory course has been designed to provide those personnel who are, or will become responsible for Fire Investigation within their organisation. Fire-fighters, law enforcement, security personnel, insurance company loss adjusters, supervisors and those managers responsible for the process but who may not have had sufficient time to devote to the subject.

The Process

Delegates will be encouraged to fully participate in this new programme through the use of syndicate work and presentations, group discussions and questionnaires. PowerPoint slides, training DVD’s and case-studies will be fully utilised. The seminar will include a comprehensive manual incorporating the full text and a copy of all slides in addition to a CD.

The Benefits

How to identify and investigate a suspicious/accidental fire scene
Understand the proper procedure for securing a fire scene
Understand proper evidence collection techniques and the importance of evidence preservation
Understand the chemistry of combustion and extinction
Understand how safety aspects of building construction and design relates to fire prevention and Safety
Define and explain the common terms used in fire investigations.

The Results

Document an emergency scene, in accordance with international best practices and legal requirements
At the end of the course; the student will be able to successfully undertake a Fire Investigation using a systematic approach of the scene
The student will be able to identify, preserve and collect many types of potential evidence using the methods discussed in the course
Demonstrate a technical understanding of characteristics and impacts of fire loss and the crime of arson necessary to conduct competent fire/emergency investigations and analysis.

The Core Competencies

Participants in the programme will develop the following competencies:

Understand the reasons for accurate fire scene investigation
Understand the physical property of fire and its effects on fuels present at a fire scene
Understand the application of burn patterns to the area or point of fire origin
Understand sources of ignition and its application to the fuel present
Know various methods of fire scene security

COURSE CONTENT

Day One

Introduction to International Fire Investigation

The Cost of Fires – International Fire Loss Statistics
The role of the first responders at the scene?
Command and Control at the scene, Incident Commander
Guide to Best Practice. USA NFPA 921 & 1033 and UK Procedures
Classification of Fire; Fire Prevention & Risk Assessment
Building Construction & Design & Fire/Emergency Evacuation Plans
Case Study

Day Two

Incident Indicators and Cause Determination

What is the origin and cause of the fire
Structures
Vehicles
Explosions
Accidental Fire Causes
Basic Principles of Electricity and Electrical Fires
Cigarette-caused Fires
Case Study

Day Three

Fire Investigation in Action

Conducting the Investigation
How to collect, preserve and report evidence. Consider the use of Trained Fire
Investigator Dog Teams
Observations When Approaching the Scene
Observations upon Arrival
Observations during Firefighting Operations
Accurately sketch a fire scene
Understand proper methods for photographing a fire scene
Fire Investigator Responsibility – Questionnaire
Types of Evidence

Direct

Circumstantial

Evidence Handling

Chain of Evidence

Courtroom Evidence

Day Four

Human Behaviour in Fires

Evacuations
Alarm Response
Witness Interviews
Death Investigations
Sociological and cultural factors
Potential Psychological Issues in Fire Investigations
Case Study

Day Five

Evaluation, Reports and Records

Preparing the Fire Incident Report – what is required
Judgment and Decision Making
Coordinate efforts with other organisations in Preparing for Court
Subpoena witnesses, property owners/occupants to obtain sworn testimony
Prosecution and Defence Techniques, Testifying in Court Cases
Testifying as an Expert Witness
Review of the course – Time Permitting

Day 1

Asset Cost Management Introduction

Definitions of reliability, maintenance & asset management
The total cost of maintenance
Best practice reliability and maintenance processes
Elements of asset management best practice
Auditing performance
Overview of TPM, RCM, BCM, QCM, and other asset management buzzword
Open discussion sessions

Day 2

Laying the Groundwork

Day 3

Applying the Value based Process

Day 4

Ensuring the Continuity of the Value-based Process

Day 5

Supporting Process that Lower Life-cycle costs

Training Methodology

Pathways Training and consulting adopts the newest techniques of human resources Training and consulting and, with the following:

Theoretical lectures are delivered via PowerPoint and visual displays (videos and short films)
Making scientific evaluation to the trainee (before and after)
Brainstorming and role-playing
Using case studies related to the scientific material being delivered and the trainees' work.
The participants get the scientific and practical material printed and on CDs and Flash memories.
Preparing records and reports of the participants' attendance and results, with a general evaluation of the training program.
A group of the best trainers and experts in all fields and specialties professionally prepares the scientific material.
After finishing the course, the participants get certificates of attendance signed, certified, and issued by pathways Training and consulting.
Our training programs start at 9:00 o'clock in the morning and end at 2:00 in the afternoon, with snack buffet during the lectures.
Providing a lunch buffet during the training program period, with organizing a lunch party on the training program final day for taking some photos and certificate awarding.