Firefighting Tactics - Essay Example

Name Tutor Title: Firеfighting Тасtiсs Institution Fire poses a major threat to the well-being of the people, as well as the welfare and security of the society. So it’s essential to investigate the cause of the fire and the intention of the attacker in case of an arson attack (Smith 1997.p.1). The basics of fire scene investigation are similar regardless of the amount of time used to complete it. They involve three phases including witness interviews, the physical examination of the scene and the forensic analysis (Hine 2004.p.13). The state of physical evidence in a fire scene can be essential to the outcome of any criminal cases. The fire-fighters have the responsibility of preserving the fire scene and evidence until the fire scene is handed over to fire investigators (Smith 1997.p.1). Securing the fire scene and preserving any evidence within it ease the investigation and the prosecution process. Preserving the fire scene is critical in civil ligation when determining insurance payment (Smith 1997.p.1). The destructive natures of fires tend to destroy the evidence of its initiation. Additionally, the activities of fire fighters trying to save lives and protect property against further damage consume the fire scene evidence. This can compromise investigations and the prosecution process. Fire scenes usually involve several entities such as emergency health officers, fire fighters, and law enforcers. Public utilities like fire extinguisher gas and electric companies are involved too (Smith 1997.p.1). Tenants, clients, landlords, passers-by and delivery agent may give relevant information. Journalists and curious persons tend to complicate investigations as they tamper with the security of the fire scene. The safety personnel should arrive at the scene immediately after being notified to prevent further spread of fire and damage of evidence. Fire scene evidence can take different forms like transient evidence which is not permanent (Smith 1997). Transient evidence includes marks in snow and evaporating liquids. Therefore, the fire fighters need to arrive at the scene as soon as possible to prevent damage of transient evidence. The first safety personnel to respond to a fire should understand how fire fighting, medical, and salvage efforts can impact on different types of evidence. The fire service personnel to respond to a fire should observe the state and the activities at and near the fire scene to obtain accurate information. Fire fighters should obtain information relevant to the fire investigation during their arrival to the fire scene (Smith 1997). The safety personnel should observe the presence, position, and state of the fire victims and witnesses. Fire investigators obtain information from witness so as to accurately determine the fire origin. A credible witness with information about how the fire started can provide critical information that can be used in determining the source of the fire. Check vehicles leaving the fire scene, bystanders, or strange activities around the scene. The condition of the flame and smoke such as the volume of flames and smoke, height, color and the direction in which the flames and smoke are moving should be noted. They should evaluate and document the information through use of written notes, videotapes or voice recordings. Selective and detailed illustration of the evidence can be presented through use of sketches and photographs. A photograph shows only a small area of the scene, but depicts the evidence thoroughly. Use of both sketches and photographs give detailed information of the fire scene (Smith 1997). According to Hine (2004.p.4 )"fire fighters usually use hoses with a diameter of 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 to control and suppress the fire. Controlling the fire extinguisher nozzle fire helps in preserving of the evidence. Using excessive water to put off the fire can dilute some flammable and combustible liquids. This can interfere with laboratory analysis when determining the presence of inflammable liquids at the fire scene. Use of excessive water can cause matches, burned paper, and wood to move from their initial position, and perhaps preventing their discovery. The fire investigator may want to observe the floor for visible fire patterns. In some areas, it can be challenging to drain the excessive water. The fire investigator should be careful when draining the water and position the drain hole where it is unlikely to interfere with the fire scene and fire patterns (Smith 1997). In essence, the fire fighters should limit use of water when working at a fire scene. They should avoid use of excessive water until the fire site has been assessed by a fire investigation officer. Basically, the fire fighters should put necessary measures to avoid destruction of evidence when using stream hose lines. The fire crews should be cautious in straight-stream applications, especially at the fire base because that may be the area of origin. The area of origin holds relevant evidence about the fire cause and ignition. Nozzle control is a significant consideration when using hose lines especially straight-stream applications (Smith 1997). In some instances, fire fighters can apply compressed Air foam systems to extinguish a fire. CAFS have a high heat absorption rate which helps to reduce property damage, improve rescue and overhaul operations, increase fire fighter safety and preserve evidence of fire cause (Dicus at al 2013). The ability to penetrate burning fuels enables the CAFs to extinguish deep-seated fires. This reduces the amount of agent used in overhaul operations hence the hose stream impact causes less damage on the fire scene. Also, the foam evaporates fast therefore uncovering additional evidence which can be useful in determining the origin of the fire (Dicus at al 2013.p.66). Dry agents and chemicals used to suppress fire include Monoammonium Phosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, and Potassium Bicarbonate. Nitrogen gas is used to pressurize the fire extinguisher. Dry chemicals work by coating the fuel with a thin layer of dust. The dry agents and chemicals interfere with the chemical reaction of fire by cutting off supply of oxygen to the fire. Dry chemicals leave a non-flammable substance on the surface of the extinguished area, therefore, minimize the possibility of re-ignition. Ventilation improves the safety of the fire-fighter and reduces property damage (Hine 2004.p.21). Tactical ventilation entails opening ventilation spaces to allow fire to escape in a particular way. Improper ventilation at the fire scene can complicate the fire suppression process resulting in damage of fire evidence. The first step involves opening all the windows and doorways and removing all curtains, drapes, screens or shades. In some instances, smoke ejectors or ventilation fans can be used in partially or completely confined scenes. The quantity of air entering the fire area and the quantity of fire gases exiting the fire area affects fire growth. Limiting the quantity of oxygen around the fire scene is an effective way of controlling fire spread. The fire-fighter should strategically stand at the front door to ensure that the door remains partly closed as the hoseline moves into the fire (Hine 2004.p.21-24). The firefighting crews should avoid turning knobs and resetting switches on any equipment such as gas cookers, wall switches, fuse boxes, or motors at the fire area before the investigator examines, and documents their state. The position of switches as well as knobs provides crucial information in determining fire cause. In cases where electricity switches need to be disconnected; the fire fighters should document their condition and position. Other items that should be observed include door portion and lock which can indicate forced entry, foot patterns, documents and blood stains. The role of the investigator is to determine what constitutes evidence at that particular scene since each fire scene tends to be unique (Hine 2004.p.37). Fire fighters should check for hidden fire in walls, ceiling spaces and other concealed areas. This process is known as overhaul and involves checking walls, removing flooring, furnishings, wiring, devices, and ceiling materials. The overhaul operation is carried out to ensure that the fire has been completely suppressed. The remaining evidence not destroyed by the fire is more likely to be damaged or displaced during the overhaul phase of fire fighting. Excessive overhaul before the fire scene is investigated can compromise the results and eventually failure to determine the cause of the fire. The investigator should supervise the overhaul operation at the fire scene. This ensures that evidence is preserved in the best way possible. It’s the responsibility of the fire fighter to check for fire extension and preserve evidence. If the overhaul operation is conducted in a systematic way, fire fighters can manage to check the fire extension and preserve the evidence. Overhaul can be accomplished in two phases. In the first phase, the overhaul operation should be limited to that which is essential until the investigator observe the fire scene. At this phase, the overhaul process should start at the outermost boundary of the fire spread. This reduces the chances of compromising evidence collection and investigation. The second overhaul operation should be conducted after the investigator has observed the fire scene and determined the fire patterns (Smith 1997). Salvage process involves removing fire debris from the fire scene and it greatly affects the fire scene analysis. According to Smith (1997. P.4) “slight movement of the fire debris and contents from their original position can affect the exact reconstruction of the scene.” Fire investigators should analyse fire scene debris to establish presence of background contaminants or cross-contamination. When examining the debris, the forensic chemist can use this information to presence of inflammable liquids such as gasoline or petroleum. Fire investigators get disappointed when they arrive at the fire scene only to find that the firefighting operations "rescued" the evidence instead of preserving it. Fire investigation procedures are essential and fire fighters should take necessary measures to ensure accurate collection of data by preventing any kind of errors on the fire scene. It’s the investigator’s to determine whether the fire occurred intentionally or accidentally (Smith 1997.p.1). There are various cases whereby individuals have been innocently convicted of arson charges. Early fire analysis techniques failed to concentrate on intentional fire indicators such as fire patterns, window cracks and presence of inflammable liquids. In June 2012, David Lee Gavitt was released from a michagan prison after spending 26 years in jail. According to Californiainnocenceproject (nd.pp.4) he had been “convicted of an arson attack and three counts of the first degree murder of his wife and children.” In 1985, a fire burnt down Gavitt’s home killing his wife and children. The fire technician failed to accurately document the fire report and indicated use of gasoline at the fire scene. John Lentini, an arson investigator quoted lack of credible evidence to justify that the fire was intentionally set. Advanced fire investigation operations based on forensic science can be used to validate purported cause of fire. The laboratory analysis has reduced the number of arsons myths since investigators have the ability to conduct detailed investigations and observe the fire patterns (Californiainnocenceproject nd.pp.3). In conclusion, the ability to properly identify evidence at the fire scene results to effective presentation of evidence. Failure to collect evidence, handle the evidence improperly, or document it properly can interfere with the fire investigation. The most important activities regarding fire investigation involves evidence collection and preservation. All the details required to establish the cause, origin, or the contributing factors related to a particular fire should me collected and recorded properly. Determining the fire origin helps to prevent reoccurrence of such events again. The fire investigators usually identify hazardous conditions or practices, product failures, and other possible fire causes. The safety officials use the results to educate the community on prevention measures or implement code changes to limit such kind of fires (Hine 2004). References Dicus, C, Korman, T, Grant, C, Lohr, S, Mardzykowski, D, Mowrer, F, Pascual, C, Turner, D 2013, Compressed Air Foam and Structural Firefighting Research, Retrieved 25th November, 2015, . Hine, G 2004, ‘Fire Scene Investigation: An Introduction for Chemists’, CRC Press LLC. LaBelle, T 2012, Steps to successful tactical ventilation, . Richards, M 2004, Compressed Air Foam Systems in Structural Firefighting, Arkansas Tech University. Smith, D 1997, ‘The Firefighter's Role In Preserving The Fire Scene: Fire Engineering’, Volume 150, No. 1, Kodiak Enterprises, Inc. Valiforniainnocenceproject nd, Fire Investigation, retrieved on 26th November 2015, . Read More