Fire Prevention & Investigation Web Exclusives

  • Wildfire Origin and Cause Investigation - Part 2

    In Part 2 of “Wildfire Origin and Cause Investigation,” we will continue to discuss the main points for the local fire investigator to focus on when conducting a wildfire investigation. Hopefully, last month’s article was an eyeopener for some...

    Article • May 31st, 2011

  • PIO 101: Tips for Media Interviews

    “Ralph, I don’t know where you’re getting your s-s-s-s-statistics,” stammered Dick Harper, Jim Carey’s character in the movie “Fun with Dick and Jane.” Harper was thrilled to become the spokesperson for the huge conglomerate “Globodyne...

    Article • May 19th, 2011

  • Pieces of the Puzzle: Preservation at Fire Scenes

    Recently I was asked by my deputy chief if I could tell newly promoted officers one thing, what would it be? I quickly replied, “Protect and secure our scene.” Why? Because from day two as a fire investigator, I have taught, lectured and...

    Article • April 21st, 2011

  • Wildfire Origin and Cause Investigation - Part 1

    As the spring fire season approaches, fire investigators across the country will be responding to wildfires to conduct origin and cause investigations. In many jurisdictions, investigators are assigned to a type of investigation that is unfamiliar...

    Article • April 11th, 2011

  • After 100 Years: The Lesson to be Learned from Triangle Shirtwaist

    Anniversaries serve several purposes; to remember, to honor, to get a day off, maybe even an excuse to throw a party and fire up the grill, but most of all, it is supposed to give us the opportunity to remember the sacrifices of those who created the...

    Article • March 18th, 2011

  • The Station Nightclub Fire

     

    Article • February 26th, 2011

  • Learning from TRAGEDY

      Today, most people go to work with little thought of the dangers hidden around them in their workplaces. Their safety is taken for granted. It was the same 100 years ago. We, unfortunately, have not learned the lessons so painfully taught us...

    Article • February 26th, 2011

  • Is It Time to Start Fighting Fire With Fire?

      A debate buzzing around the fire prevention community concerns the use of live fire during fire safety training for children. There are two camps: one that argues live fire can be used effectively and those who argue it is inappropriate. While...

    Article • February 26th, 2011

  • Smoke Generators

     

    Article • February 26th, 2011

  • Developing a Fire Prevention Program for Your Community

    When a local Boy Scout leader calls and says he’s working on fire safety, or when the Senior Center calls and wants a fire prevention presentation, are you ready to respond? Do you have specific presentations set up for different audiences? Do you...

    Article • February 15th, 2011

  • The Fire Officer’s Responsibilities at Incendiary Fires

    In this month’s column, we will discuss the fire officer’s responsibility in assisting the fire investigation units at the scene.

    Article • January 10th, 2011

  • A Call to Reform the Fire Service in 2011

    Tradition: the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, esp. by word of mouth or by practice a long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting. A continuing pattern of culture...

    Article • January 7th, 2011

  • The Rapid Intervention Reality of Your Department - Part 1

      The sound of "Mayday, Mayday" heard over the radio on the fireground will bring a sense of uneasiness and urgency to every fireground commander, no matter what the commander's level of experience or expertise. One of our own is in trouble. Are...

    Article • December 28th, 2010

  • The Six Motives for Firesetting

    At any point during your career as a fire investigator you will be assigned to investigate an incendiary fire. When the investigator arrives on the scene, information about the incident will be coming from a variety of sources, including police...

    Article • December 13th, 2010

  • Fire Prevention: It Takes a Community

    As the fire services continues to take the brunt of the economic downturn, there is no doubt that prevention is now not only a backseat of many fire departments, but hitchhiking along the side of the road.If fire departments are doing any prevention...

    Article • November 24th, 2010