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Home My WebLink About104.002c - Fire Investigation Team ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL COMMITTEES AND TEAMS 104.002c FIRE INVESTIGATION TEAM EFFECTIVE: OCTOBER 2007 Current Revision Date: 02/19/19 Next Revision Date: 02/19/24 Author’s Name/Rank: Jonathan Chew, Deputy Chief Review Level: 2 Administrative Support: Christina L. Johnson, Senior Administrative Clerk Section 104.002c Page 1 of 5 PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to institute guidelines for the establishment and organization of the Fresno Fire Department (Department or FFD) Investigation Team. This policy outlines the organization of the Department’s Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) based upon applicable local, state, and federal standards and guidelines. APPLICATION Fire investigation is a federally mandated requirement fulfilled by the responsible fire and/or law enforcement jurisdiction; a State, County, City or Fire Protection District or other entity recognized by the State of California. Locally the FFD Fire Investigation Unit is tasked with investigations within the jurisdiction of the City of Fresno as well as contracted response areas and jurisdictions. OPERATIONAL POLICY It is Department policy to provide professionally trained and experienced fire investigators. The formation and maintenance of an fire investigation team will help facilitate this policy. Note: Reference Administrative Manual, Section 104.002, Specialty Team General Guidelines, for information pertaining to all specialty teams OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE The FIU is comprised of one (1) FIU Supervisor and six (6) investigators, for a total of seven (7) “full-time” positions. In addition to the seven (7) “full-time” positions, up to six (6) additional “reserve” positions may be filled. Section 104.002c Page 2 of 5 All FIU candidates must pass a California P.O.S.T. Peace Officers background investigation; including a polygraph, psychological examination, and personnel file review. Four (4) investigator roles have been identified, including: FIU Supervisor, Investigator 1 - Staff Investigator, Investigator 2 - Scene Investigator, and Investigator 3 - Reserve Investigator. Fire Investigation Unit Supervisor: FIU Supervisor vacancies are open to members of any rank whom meet the minimum qualifications, and are to be filled through a competitive hiring process. The FIU Supervisor is appointed by the Fire Chief or designee based on qualifications. The FIU Supervisor is primarily responsible coordinating the activities of the FIU including unit training, fire investigation and case management, professional background investigations, professional standards investigations, review of fire suppression and investigation reports and other duties assigned by the Fire Chief or designee. The FIU Supervisor will hold and maintain peace officer status under California Penal Code, Section 830.37. Investigator 1 - Staff Investigators: Staff Investigators are to be filled by current members from the rank of firefighter specialist. Staff Investigators work a 40-hour week schedule based on the guidelines of the Unit 5 MOU. Staff Investigator positions are appointed by the Fire Chief or designee based on qualifications. Staff Investigators are primarily responsible for incident follow up, Professional Background Investigations, Professional Standards Investigations and any other investigations and duties assigned by the FIU Supervisor or the Fire Chief or designee. Staff Investigators are to hold and maintain peace officer status under California Penal Code, Section 830.37. Investigator 2 - Scene Investigators: Scene Investigators are to be filled by current members from the rank of firefighter specialist. Scene Investigators work a full-time 56-hour platoon schedule. Scene Investigator’s shift positions are filled concurrent with the biennial draw and follow the Administrative Manual, Section 104.002, Specialty Team General Guidelines. Scene Investigators are primarily responsible for responding to calls for service to assist in determining the origin and cause of fires. Other investigations and duties can be performed or assigned as deemed necessary by the FIU Supervisor or the Fire Chief and/or his/her designee. Scene Investigators will not be required to obtain/maintain peace officer status. Note: After a two-year commitment has been met and minimum qualifications satisfied, a FIU team member in good standing can request, through the FIU Supervisor, selection for training to become a peace officer; however, it is neither a requirement nor Section 104.002c Page 3 of 5 an expectation to do so. The FIU Supervisor may allow a member to bypass the two year minimum requirement, based on the needs of the FIU, Department or with the approval of the Fire Chief. Investigator 3 - Reserve Scene Investigators: Reserve Scene Investigators will not have peace officer status. Reserve Scene Investigator positions may be filled by members of the rank of firefighter, firefighter specialist, or fire captain and assigned to work a 56-hour platoon schedule. Reserve Scene Investigator positions are filled through a completive selection process per the guidelines outlined within the Administrative Manual, Section 104.002, Specialty Team General Guidelines. Reserve Scene Investigators are primarily responsible for covering open Scene Investigator shifts and responding to calls for service to assist in determining the origin and cause of fires. Other investigations and duties can be performed or assigned as deemed necessary by the FIU Supervisor or the Fire Chief or designee. An “internship” will be included as part of the training for new FIU candidates. This will allow the FIU candidate opportunities to apply their training under the direct supervision of a current and qualified FIU member. Time for the internship will consist of up to ten (10) 24-hour shifts. All FIU candidates will complete a FIU Task Book. The Task Book will be assigned at the beginning of a FIU candidates training. The FIU candidate will have until the end of the internship to complete the Task Book. The following is a list of minimum recommended training for all members of the FIU: All members: 1. California State Fire Marshal – Fire Investigation 1a 2. California State Fire Marshal – Fire Investigation 1b 3. California State Fire Marshal – Fire Investigation 1c a. Equivalent CSFM Fire Investigation courses and/ or training are acceptable substitutes. 4. FI210 Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination (NWCG) 5. Expert Witness Testimony Section 104.002c Page 4 of 5 6. Additional CSFM requisite training courses as outlined by NFPA 1033, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator 7. Continuing education as assigned via Department LMS. Investigator 2 – Scene Investigators, with Peace Officer status: 1. CA P.O.S.T. P.C. 832 Laws of arrest 2. CA P.C. 832 Firearms 3. CA P.O.S.T. Interview and Interrogation Techniques 4. FPD/FFD FIU Specific Law Enforcement Officer Training 5. RMS/RPW 6. P.O.S.T. Perishable Skills training 7. Arrest and Control 8. Officer Survival 9. Weapons Qualifications 10. Handgun 11. Pepper spray 12. Taser 13. Shotgun 14. Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) Investigator 1 – Staff Investigators, with Peace Officer status: 1. CA P.O.S.T. (or equivalent) Professional Background Investigations 2. CA P.O.S.T. (or equivalent) Professional Standards Investigations 3. All Law Enforcement Specialized accounts It is recommended that FIU members maintain affiliation and membership in applicable state and national professional organizations. Attendance of annual industry training conferences helps ensure the FIU is current and up to date with legal and professional standards and practices. Organization affiliations include but are not limited to: 1. California Conference of Arson Investigators - CCAI* 2. Central Valley Arson Investigators - CVAI* 3. International Association of Arson Investigators - IAAI 4. National Association of Fire Investigators - NAFI 5. California Background Investigators Association - CBIA** 6. California Narcotics Officers Association - CNOA Section 104.002c Page 5 of 5 PROCESS This section intentionally left blank. INFORMATION This section intentionally left blank. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS-REFERENCES Administrative Manual Section 101.002, Constant Staffing Policy Section 104.002, Specialty Teams General Guidelines Memorandum of Understand, Fresno City Firefighters Association Local No. 753