Firefighting Tactics and Forensic Awareness - Report Example

Firefighting Tactics and Forensic Awareness Name Course Professor Institution Date In the contemporary times, issues of the environment have received so much attention due to the knowledge and information that has spread throughout the world in relation to environmental protection and conversation. The concept of sustainability in affairs of the environment has dominated many forums and discussions in the noted subject and field. Fire and its impacts on the environment have caused great concerns to many institutions as it not only impacts on environmental issues directly but also indirectly in many aspects. It, thus, has constituted an important subject to be discussed in issues relating to environmental protection and conversation. Many other aspects such as air pollution, oil spillage and dumping of waste products among others have dominated the subject of environmental pollution. Furthermore, research conducted to provide evidence on the related concerns relating to environmental issues. However, this paper presents a discussion of firefighting tactics and forensic awareness as critical evidence in the preservation of environmental investigations. Fire brings many negative destructions not only to the environment by increasing smoke and polluting the environment with carbon monoxide, but also in many instances it has resulted to loss of lives and destruction of properties. Law enforcement teams and fire officers, therefore, play an important role in the real fights against fire, but also in the process of unearthing the main cause of fire for varied scenes as noted in the past and in the contemporary times (Norman 2012, 24). From the reports and investigations they produce, many institutions and organizations have therefore formulated policies and to some extend laws by the state agencies in both the State and county government that intend to enhance public safety and security. Firefighting tactics and forensic awareness has, thus, becomes critical to scene evidence preservation. Fire is caused by many factors that include natural causes as well as human-induced factors. The natural causes mainly result from lightning fires and lightning strikes. However, the human- induced factors range from broad aspects such as chemical and gasses noted mostly in LP-gas and natural gas in homes and industries (Prager & Rosteck 2006, 12). Electrical faults also result to fires, smoking materials that include cigarettes and other tobacco products, candles, appliances and pieces of equipment, fireworks and arsonists who intentionally light up structures to cause destruction among other possible causes. The broad spectrum which can result to fire incidences, thus, has compelled investigation teams and other concerned professionals to develop and formulate a number of investigation alternatives, procedures, and processes. These can help them reveal the real causes of fire effectively and professionally in the shortest time possible and, thus, help deliver justice to those affected, as well as, develop policies and procedures for safety measures to be reinforced depending on the cause of fire and reports developed. Such reports have also been used to develop the safety measures and procedures for the firefighting officers to improve safety as the work is also considered to be risky (Silvernail 2013, 17). Irrespective of the cause of a fire, the dynamics of fires are the same as it notes how the fire starts, develops and even spreads to other places. For any fire to start there must be the presence of three critical elements that include fuel, heat, and oxygen. The noted ingredients have determined to a large extent the measures, procedures, tactics and methods developed to counter fire as observed in many places. Most of the methods used have been designed with the aim and strategy of eliminating or reducing one of the key requirements for the fire to start noted in many firefighting tools and pieces of equipment worldwide that include fire engines, firefighting cylinders in the form of powder, foam, and gas among many others. The science of how fire spreads has also been incorporated in designing the strategies used to counter fires and, help in understanding the concept and, thus, develop the best practices. Fires are measured using different ways that include measuring temperature, heat energy, and heat Flux and Heat Release Rate (HRR). All the stated measures can give the intensity of the fire and, hence, help develop the appropriate strategies used to counter fire as well as eliminate the risks to firemen and, the public at large by giving them the right advice and safety measures to take (Corcoran & Higgs 2013, 72). Time and temperature, thus, have proved to be critical in issues of fires as they determine the ignition process, the growth process, development and finally the decay process. Heat energy as a major component for fires, has determined in many instances the measures, procedures, and processes among others factors that are developed to counter fire. Heat transfer, thus, has affected all the process and stages that fires ignite, spread, decay, and extinction. Consequently, the science behind heat transfer has formed the process that firefighters and fire officers use to counter fires and train the relevant personnel in the related subject. Heat is transferred from hotter objects to cooler objects through many processes that include conduction, radiation, and convection processes. Understanding the dynamism noted above, hence, contributes greatly to successful investigations process and tactics that forensics has to incorporate in fire scenes evidence preservation. It has, hence, shaped the investigation methods employed in fire incidences and designing safety apparatus and tools for firefighters (Schottke 2014, 32). It has also shaped evidence preservation methods in fire investigations. The right fire suppression tactics have to be employed in incidences of fire to limit damage to evidence in post-fire scenes and investigations. Failure to do that, It would create a counter-productive situation where the real cause of the fire is not established and, thus, developing a sustainable response to all concerned stakeholders becomes challenging besides wasting time and resources in the investigation processes. Fire suppression tactics employed are determined by many aspects such as the possible cause of the fire in incidences where there is already established evidence of the cause of the fire. Moreover, also other external factors such as wind direction and strength, the place attacked by fire, for example, a forest or building among others. Fire suppression is implemented through direct and in indirect attack as well as offensive and defensive attack. The tactic chosen depends on the nature of the fire and consideration of safety measures among other external factors such as the direction of the wind (Dibenedetto 2011, 3). A quick Incidence Command is established to determine the next causes of actions and strategies employed in suppressing the fire. In most cases, fire engines are used to suppress fires. However, in incidences where the cause of the fire is established, the suppression methods differ. For example suppressions of electrical fires differ from those of flammable- liquid fires and wild or forests fires. Some will require the use of firefighting engines, aircrafts, shutting off discharge valves especially for flammable gas fire, and switching off main power supply lines for electric fires among other varied alternatives and tactics used for suppression of fires. Therefore, preservation of fire scene evidence would be determined by many factors and, hence, the forensic has to be aware of the relevance of the evidence and the tactics they use and ensure that evidence is preserved (Madrzykowski & Kerber 2009, 27). The report documented and written in incidences of investigations of fires is critical for the many institutions that require such information such as the law enforcement officers and the judicial system that include courts. Additionally, the insurance industry relies heavily on such reports and investigations to determine their professional course of action to their clients and those affected as a result of fire incidences. Moreover, safety and security apparatus that guides in developing of laws and policies that enhance safety at homes and other places of work. Such places include industries and factories among others rely on such investigation and reports to determine the cause of action that may include establishing new measures or reviewing older plans, methods, and processes that enhance safety and security of the people and their properties against Fire related cases. Therefore, the tactics and forensics used in the investigation processes must prioritize preservation of evidence. Fire investigation methods and processes have, thus, established guidelines that try to ensure that professionalism is reinforced and increase the chance of producing a valid report that can be authentic and useful to the concerned parties. There are guidelines that investigators follow when they arrive at the scene of a fire incident, process that they use to evaluate the scene, documenting the scene, process evidence and finally completing the investigations. There are procedures required to be followed by investigators and people who arrive the fire scene incidences that form the basis and guidelines for, further, steps taken in the investigation processes (Lentini 2012, 15). The first respondents have to observe the fire and scene conditions and provide investigators with descriptions that are complete and accurate. Additionally, they have to establish security and control and exercise scene safety besides coordinating interagency activities. The next stage is evaluating the scene. The lead investigator in this process contacts the first responders and establishes their presence. Also, they identify and interview witnesses at the scene. They also assess the security of the scene at the time of the fire and define the scene boundaries. Finally, they establish the resources required to process the scene. Documenting the scene is the stage that follows. The lead prosecutor then photographs and videotape the fire scene to support future investigations and evidence gathering. Besides, they also describe and document the scene by writing narrative and reports about the scene describing the developments of the incidences with time. Processing evidence at the scene is the next stage in the process of investigation for the lead investigator and their team. There are many activities conducted at this stage such as identifying, collecting and preserving evidence to be used for laboratory analysis, court proceedings and, further, investigations. While conducting the process, it is imperative to take precaution so as not to contaminate the evidence collected (Thomas & Mcalpine 2010, 46). Use of proper tools should be embraced and uniquely identified by labeling correctly. For example, evidence collected first in areas where the fire originated. Contamination of evidence should be avoided by establishing a strict control on the scene, by wearing clean protective garments, using clean containers to package evidence and sealing immediately among other measures. Packaging and transporting evidence is also critical and the process should be able to protect the samples and avoid destruction. Finally, the lead investigator should establish a chain of custody that documents the persons responsible for the safety of the gathered evidence and documenting final disposition of the evidence actions taken on them. The last stage in the investigation process is completing the investigation by the lead investigator. After one ensures that all evidence has been collected, the investigator should release the scene. Before doing so, the investigator must ensure that other aspects such as legal, safety and health issues are accounted for by working closely with the appropriate bodies and agencies interested in such accounts. A report is then documented and submitted to the relevant agencies as stated in the law so that the report can be shared by the public and shape necessary actions taken for the interested of the public and other agencies according to the law (Holliday 2011, 2). It, thus, reinforces the argument that firefighting tactics and forensic awareness are critical processes in the preservation of evidence. There are incidences where failure to follow the required procedures and processes in collecting and preserving evidence have resulted in errors in the process and, thus, led to wrong results. As a result of such incidences, it leads to the formulation of standards procedures and processes of investigating fire scenes that most of the people responsible for the subject of investigation use as described above. Wrong investigations have resulted in people being jailed for arson and related examples, as well as the contrary where arsonists and suspects have been set free as a result of lack of evidence among many other instances. It is, thus, imperative to remain professional in the investigation processes and procedures to help the stakeholders concerned. In conclusion, fire scene evidence preservation has played an important role in executing justice to parties concerned. Firefighting officers and law enforcement officers, as well as responsible parties, have to exercise the highest level of professionalism in conducting investigations. They realize it through a proper forensic process and tactics used by fire officers all stages of fire scenes before, during and after incidences of fires. . References Corcoran, J. & Higgs, G., 2013, ‘Special Issue on Spatial Analytical Approaches in Urban Fire Management’, Fire Safety Journal, Vol. 62, no. 11. November, pp. 64-78. Dibenedetto, A., 2011, 10 Most Common Causes of House Fires, Available from Holliday, S. C., 2011, Using Fire Suppression Strategy and Tactics for EMS, Available from Lentini, J. J, 2012, Scientific Protocols for Fire Investigation, Taylor & Francis: CRC Press. Madrzykowski, D., & Kerber, S. I., 2009, Fire Fighting Tactics Under Wind Driven Conditions: Laboratory Experiments, Quincy, MA, Fire Protection Research Foundation. Norman, J., 2012, Fire Officer's Handbook of Tactics, Tulsa, Okla, Fire Engineering/PennWell. Prager, F. H., & Rosteck, H., 2006, Polyurethane and Fire Performance Testing Under Real Conditions. Weinheim, Wiley-VCH. Schottke, D., 2014, Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills. Burlington, MA : Jones & Bartlett Learning Silvernail, J., 2013, Suburban Fire Tactics, Tulsa, Oklahoma : PennWell/Fire Engineering Thomas, P., & Mcalpine, R., 2010, Fire In the Forest. New York, Cambridge University Press. Read More