The Fire Investigation Course provided by the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) is open to Local Assistants to the Fire Commissioner (LAFC) and fire departments. The objective of the course is to familiarize LAFC and fire department members with the investigation and determination of fires, with respect to the media, judicial system, and the roles and responsibilities of an LAFC or fire department member as an investigator.

Unit 1 – BC Fire Facts

Become familiar with:

• The benefits of quality fire investigations;
• The relationship between fire investigation and fire prevention;
• Why the cause of every fire is not always determined; and
• Who sets fires and why fires are set.

Unit 2 – Roles, Duties and Responsibilities

Become familiar with:

• Role and duties of a Local Assistant, Office of the Fire Commissioner and the role of the Fire Department.

Unit 3 – Fire Chemistry and Fire Behaviour

Become familiar with Fire Chemistry and:

• The primary components of fire;
• The fire triangle and tetrahedron models;
• The influence of temperature and pressure fuels;
• The basic categories of heat; and
• The products of combustion.

Become familiar with Fire Behaviour and:

• The classes of fire, phases of fire development; and
• The major components that promote fire spread.

Unit 4 – Recording Your Findings

Become familiar with:

• The benefits of compiling and maintaining proper records;
• The basic rules for note taking;
• The importance of fire scene drawings and procedures for photographing a fire scene; and
• Methods to protect and secure physical evidence.

Unit 5 – Fire Scene Safety and Security

Become familiar with:

• Potential hazards that can be found at the fire scene;
• Methods to resolve safety concerns;
• Suitable protective clothing;
• The importance of fire scene security; and
• Direction and supervision of security staff.

Unit 6 – Fire Cause Determination

i) Fire Scene Examination

Become familiar with:

• The five major steps to follow at a fire scene;
• The importance of reviewing all factors before reaching a conclusion;
• Various types of fire and heat patterns and the factors that influence fire patterns;
• Debris removal and scene reconstruction; and
• Electricity as a fire cause.

ii) Motor Vehicle Fires

Be able to:

• Discuss the size of the vehicle fire problem;
• Describe the procedure for investigating a vehicle fire;
• Identify possible fuel and heat sources for vehicle fires; and
• Identify additional resources that may be called upon to assist with the investigation.

iii) Marine Fires

Become familiar with:

• Confirming your jurisdiction;
• Determining vessel types and functions; and
• How to interview the captain and crew.

iv) Wildland Fire

Be able to:

• Understand the significance of wind, slope and fuel;
• Interpret burn indicators;
• Identify the direction of fire travel; and
• Discuss the three main causes of wildland fires.

v) Fire Scene Management and Major Investigations

Be able to:

• Establish control over fire scene;
• Identify the appropriate level of security;
• Establish a protocol for dealing with multi-agency interests and what information will be shared; and
• Provide guidance for the general scope of the investigation.

vi) Technical Reference

Be able to:

• Identify and access technical reference that can be useful during fire investigation.

Unit 7 – Explosions

Be able to:

• Differentiate between “Explosion” and “Explosive” as defined by the Canadian Explosives Act, and other substances that will explode;
• Identify the difference between a chemical and mechanical explosion;
• Define the difference between “low order damage” and “high order damage”;
• Define deflagration and detonation; and
• Understand the techniques used to investigate an explosion.

Unit 8 – Local Assistants and the Judicial System

Become familiar with:

• Different levels of courts;
• Some rules of evidence;
• Court procedures;
• General guidelines for giving testimony; and
• The role of an expert witness.

Unit 9 – Media and Fire Investigations

Be able to:

• Work effectively with the media;
• Understand the need for quality public information;
• Appreciate the needs of other agencies working at the fire scene; and
• Plan an interview.