paul carolan fiai aontas náisiúnta trodairí dóiteáin máirithe na hÉireann the national...
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Paul Carolan FIAI
Aontas Náisiúnta Trodairí Dóiteáin Máirithe Na
hÉireann
The National Retained Firefighters Association of Ireland
SIPTU Biennial Seminar 2005
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
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, 784
27%
154,978
23% (36,222)
35
51%
218
44%
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 5th most frequent crimeNational 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 5th 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
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 toNational ResponseGuidelines
Development ofNational
MemorandumOf Understanding’s
With Garda, Forensic Services
Insurance Industry
ReviseNationalIncidentReport Form
Data linkedTo
•Garda•CFS initiatives
FIRE
Fire Dept.
Garda / Police
Forensic Scientist
Insurance IndustryLegal Profession
DPP
StatePathologist
Coroners Office
Legislation
PublicPrivate Investigators
LossAdjusters
Fire Investigators Association of Ireland
Chapter 68
The
International Association
of
Arson Investigators