Volume 1 Issue 1 October 2015 FIRE INVESTIGATION JOURNAL OF THE UNITED KINGDON ASSOCIATION OF FIRE INVESTIGATORS

Transcription

1 Volume 1 Issue 1 October 2015 FIRE INVESTIGATION JOURNAL OF THE UNITED KINGDON ASSOCIATION OF FIRE INVESTIGATORS

2 UK-AFI FIRE INVESTIGATION This journal is the official publication of the UK-AFI and is published solely by the United Kingdom Association of Fire Investigators, UK-AFI, P.O. Box 28694, London N20 0WT. Charity number President John GALVIN Immediate Past President Dr Peter MANSI 1st Vice President Dr Nick CAREY 2nd Vice President Mike FLANAGAN Directors Deon WEBBER Chris CLARKE Penny HARPER Gary ASQUITH Mark WATSON Director of Administration Claire MANSI Editorial Team Dr Peter MANSI Bob MILNE Mark WATSON CONTENTS Executives and Board of Directors Page 3 President s Perspective Page 4 UK AFI Training Conference 2016 Page 5 6 Two-Day Annual Training Conference Page 7-8 Programme 2016 UK AFI Elections Page 9-12 New Northwest Regional Page 13 Representative Jonathan STEWART Future Firefighting and its Effects on Page Fire Investigations Photographic Competition Page 18 Message from Chris Blacksell, Chair Page of Chief Fire Officers Association Fire Investigation Strategic Steering Group UK AFI Fire Investigator of the Year Page 20 Fire Investigation technician (FIT) Page Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) Page Message from Peter Mansi Immediate Page 24 Past President of the IAAI and UK AFI The UK-AFI Fire Investigation Journal is published twice yearly by the United Kingdom Association of Fire Investigators. The publication is solely an educational and advisory aid to members working or studying in the field of fire investigation; and to assist in raising the level of expertise in fire investigation. This statement reaffirms the UK-AFI s long standing recognition of the importance of NFPA 921 to the knowledge and methodology of fire investigation. Authoritative means that the guide is an accepted source of information and known to be accurate and reliable. By its own terms the document is not a standard and is subject to revision and updating on a periodic basis to allow it to remain current with the expanding scientific and technical knowledge in the fire investigation field. Articles herein express the opinions of the authors, which are not necessarily the opinions of the UK- AFI or its editors. The Editor reserves the right to accept or reject any article or advertisement submitted for publication. An advertisement in the UK-AFI journal does not constitute, and will not be interpreted, as an endorsement of the advertiser or product. Advertisers may not use the UK-AFI name or image in their commercial activities in any manner. 2

3 EXECUTIVES, BOARD OF DIRECTORS and the EDITOR John Galvin President Dr Peter Mansi Immediate Past President Dr Nick Carey 1 st Vice President Mike Flanagan 2 nd Vice President Claire Mansi Director of Administration Penny Harper Director Chris Clarke Director Deon Webber Director Mark Watson Director Gary Asquith Director Bob Milne Editor 3

4 PRESIDENT S PERSPECTIVE Presidents Report Autumn 2015 The 2015 IAAI International Training Conference was held between the 18 th and 22 nd May at the Hyatt Regency O Hare, Chicago, USA. Many IAAI members attended the event, not only from the USA but Canada, South America, Europe, Scandinavia, The Middle East, SE Asia and Australia. During the proceedings Peter Mansi handed over the leadership of the IAAI to the incoming President, Dan Heenan. Peter s achievements, during his term as President, were recognised at the AGM. When you next speak to Peter, just ask about the hat. The UK-AFI Summer Training Conference was held at the University of Central Lancashire (UClan) on the 29 th June I am sure that those who attended would agree that the content of the event was of a very high standard and together with the opportunity for delegates to take an online examination based on the event content, provided added value to the CPD obtained. It is the policy of the UK-AFI to provide tested training for all of our events. We thank Steve Andrews of UCLan, not only for his presentation but also for the hard work behind the scenes that made the event such a success. It was recognised that this event attracted the greatest level of attendees ever for our summer events. It was announced at the IAAI ITC, that the IAAI Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) had now been accredited by the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board, (FSAB). This is in addition to the existing accreditation awarded by the Pro Board. The current certifications, including CFI, Fire Investigation Technician (FIT), Evidence Collection Technician (ECT) and Certified Instructor (CI) are being obtained in ever increasing numbers. I would encourage any UK-AFI member to add one or more of these to their portfolio to demonstrate their technical knowledge and continuation of CPD in respect of fire investigation. Please speak to me or another board member if you have any questions regarding these certifications. The board of directors are continuing to make arrangements for the 2016 AGM and Annual Training Conference. This will be a two-day event with a truly international line up of presenters. Details have been posted on the association s web site and bookings are now being received. Claire Mansi, our Director of Administration, has been in negotiation with the venue for the event, securing the best possible deal for delegates. Claire has also been liaising with the international speakers ensuring that they have an enjoyable experience here in the UK. This event will be an excellent opportunity to network with investigators from all over the world. Book your places now. Do you know a fire investigator who is a cut above the rest? Nominations are now being accepted for the Pete Ganci Award, Fire Investigator of the Year award and the annual UK-AFI photographic competition. Details of these awards have been circulated and can be found on the website. If you require any further information just contact Claire Mansi. This will be my last President's Report published in our newsletters. In January I will have completed my term of two years as President and following the UK-AFI elections, there will be a few changes. The system that is now in place in relation to election of the board of directors allows the UK-AFI to have a smooth transition of directors ensuring that there is no sudden loss of experience. I hope that all eligible members will take an active role in the election process. John Galvin. President. UK-AFI. 4

5 UK AFI ANNUAL TRAINING CONFERENCE 2016 The UK-AFI Board are bringing speakers from four countries to the 2016 ATC and welcoming the opportunity to hear from some of the most experienced practitioners in the fire investigation discipline. Please read their details below and make sure you, not only introduce yourselves to them at the Conference, but also engage with them regarding their presentations. As we all know, there is a lot more depth to the subject matter you will be hearing than can be presented in the time allowed. Speakers details Randy WATSON (USA) is an internationally recognised speaker and authority on NFPA 921, Guide for Fire and Explosion investigation and NFPA 1033, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigators. Title: NFPA The Changing World of Fire Investigation Tuomas PALVIA (Finland) has studied security management at a university of applied sciences and has worked in various fire prevention positions for the past 13 years. Tuomas has been involved in fire investigation from 2008 and he has investigated fires in both public and private sectors. Title: Fire Behaviour and Fire Safety Mark McCABE (UK) is an IAAI Certified Fire Investigator with 37 years in the fire industry, working for the last 15 years as a full time Fire Investigator. He has carried out in excess of 750 fire scene examinations in the UK and abroad: including major commercial losses, domestic properties, motor vehicles, domestic appliances and 118 fire death enquiries; covering accidents, in excess of 20 murders and numerous suicides. Title: Serial Arsonist and Murder - Lessons Learned Book your place ASAP by contacting claire.mansi@uk-afi.org 2-Day Conference Registration Fees: for UK-AFI members and for non-members IAAI-UK Chapter, PO Box 28694, London, N20 0WT Web: 5

6 Dan HEENAN (USA) travels throughout the United States and foreign countries assisting in the origin and cause determination of fires as well as teaching the fire investigation community regarding origin and cause. Dan has been a member of the ATF National Response Team for the past fifteen years and served as a full time member of the team for four years. He was selected as the Team Leader for the NRT in 2013 and currently holds that position within the team. Dan is currently the President of the International Association of Arson Investigators, has served as Chairman of the IAAI Training and Education Committee for six years; and currently serves as a member on the NFPA 1033 committee. Title: Texas 15 Fire Fighter Fatality Case Study Stuart RITCHIE (New Zealand) has over 30 years of professional experience providing forensic fire cause and origin consultancy services to industry, government, legal practitioners, insurance loss adjusters and claims staff and factual investigators., He has attended and examined over 3000 fire scenes, providing expert evidence and opinion on over 300 occasions, to all levels of legal and judicial review, including the Coronial, Local, District and Supreme Courts in NSW, the ACT, and Queensland. Title: The Advantages of a Collegiate Approach in the Multi-Agency Investigation of Deliberate Fire Events. Mark HOBBS (UK) is the Business Safety Manager for East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, where he has built up 25 years fire service experience in various roles including the Service's Lead Fire Investigation Officer. Mark is an operational officer in the rank of Group Manager and is still involved with the investigation of fire scenes. Title: Fires Involving Electrical Intakes - A Journey. Mike JONES (UK) Twenty-five years ago Mike moved into fire investigation and has dealt with over 2,000 cases since, most of which involve electrical causes ranging from electronic circuits to high voltage distribution switchgear. With the increasing density of electrical apparatus in homes and offices, the requirement for greater knowledge of electrical failure mechanisms is deepening. Title: Resistance is Futile. Barry GRIMM (USA) spent 37 years as a Police Officer/ Detective in Middletown TWP. NJ working major crimes and doing forensic work to include fire/arson origin and cause determination. Barry is the immediate past president of the NJIAAA president, he has taught in 42 states and at several IAAI ITCs. He appears in the video, First responders role in fire investigation and several segments on cfitrainer.net. In May 2013, he was elected at the ITC in Orlando and began a term as an international IAAI director and is seeking re-election at the 2016 ITC in Orlando. Title: The Vehicle Fire Challenge. 6

7 2016 Two-Day Annual Training Conference To be held on Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 January 2016 at Hotel Russell, 1-8 Russell Square, London WC1B 5BE 08:00 Registration, Coffee and networking DAY ONE - Monday 25 January :30 John Galvin (UK) UK-AFI President s Welcome 08:40 AGM (Agenda will be available on our web site) Training Programme 09:15 Randy Watson (USA) Chair of the National Fire Protection Association 921 Committee (NFPA 921) NFPA 921- The changing world of fire investigation 10:30 Coffee 10:50 Randy Watson (continues) NFPA 921- The changing world of fire investigation 11:35 Tuomas Palvia (Finland) Fire Behaviour and Fire Safety Investigation into the fire safety aspects of a major apartment building fire 12:15 Lunch 13:15 Photographic Competition Results followed by 13:20 Mark McCabe (UK) Serial Arsonist and Murder- Lessons Learned If this incident happened tomorrow would we have the same outcome? 14:00 Dan Heenan (USA) Special Agent ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) and IAAI President Texas 15 fire fighter fatality Case Study 15:00 Coffee 15:30 Dan Heenan (case study continues) Texas 15 fire fighter fatality Case Study 16:45 End of day one - Networking continues in the sponsored hospitality bar 7

8 08:00 Coffee and networking DAY TWO - Tuesday 26 January :30 Stuart Richie (NSW) Principal Consultant - Commercial and Criminal Forensic Pty Ltd. The advantages of a collegiate approach in the multi-agency investigation of deliberate fire events. Success in establishing an origin and cause of a fire is greatly assisted by each party maintaining an understanding and appreciation of the role and responsibility of the other. 10:00 Coffee Mark Hobbs (UK) Business Safety Manager Community Protection Directorate, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Fires Involving Electrical Intakes - A Journey. Following a fatal fire investigation, concerns regarding resistive heating in electrical intakes were identified and a journey over several years has and still is, raising awareness and influencing positive change. 11:10 Dan Heenan (USA) Special Agent ATF and IAAI President Post Flashover Ventilation Matrix 12:00 Lunch 13:00 Mike Jones (UK) Geoffrey Hunt & Partners Resistance is Futile How to determine whether a high resistance fault is capable of ignition 14:00 Barry Grimm (USA) ATF Retired The Vehicle Fire Challenge 15:00 Coffee 15:20 Barry Grimm (continues) The Vehicle Fire Challenge 16:30 Closing Remarks Dr Nick Carey UK-AFI President 8

9 2016 UK AFI ELECTIONS for 2 nd VICE PRESIDENT AND BOARD of DIRECTORS Dear Member, Please read the profiles below for all of your candidates who are running for the UK-AFI Board of Directors. This is a big commitment and requires a lot of personal time to help manage this great Association. Make careful consideration of who YOU believe will be the best candidates for the role and take the time to vote when the voting opens on 5 December If you are considering becoming an International member, then this is the time to do so as you need to be an International member to be eligible to vote. Best wishes, Peter Mansi Immediate Past President and Chair of the Election Committee Deon WEBBER 2 nd Vice President To those of you who I have had the pleasure to meet and those I am yet to meet I would like to let you know that this year, I have been associated with the world of fire for 40 years. In 1975 I started the basic training that would lead to a 35 year career in the fire service, which ultimately led to my fascination with the discipline of fire investigation and my continuing involvement with the organisations that support it. Since leaving the fire service, I have carried on my work in fire investigation, but now in the private world. I continue to lecture to students of fire investigation in foundation training and to students at a number of universities. It is approaching ten years since I attended my first IAAI-UK conference where my eyes were opened to an organisation made up of similarly likeminded people who were only too willing to share their experiences and knowledge. It has been my pleasure to serve the IAAI-UK and latterly the UK-AFI as the North West regional representative for seven years and more recently as a member of the Board of Directors. I feel very strongly that the UK-AFI is the only organisation that provides regular, quality and accredited fire investigation training to practitioners across a wide range of public and private organisations for a modest cost. I am an avid supporter of the direction that the organisation is going in and look forward to the near future when we will be THE professional organisation for fire investigators. I am honoured to have been proposed and seconded for the post of 2nd vice president and with your support will be proud to undertake that role. I can promise you that it is my intention to continue my commitment to the organisation and to devote my efforts to assist in providing you with an organisation devoted to promoting our discipline and assisting members to develop and to share their skills. I hope that you will be aware of my present and past level of commitment and will support me with your vote in the forthcoming elections. 9

10 Chris CLARKE Board of Directors I am a partner with Fire Investigations (UK) LLP, a private forensic fire investigation company who are partnered with BRE (formally The Building Research Establishment). In a previous life I was a Station Manager in the West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service and managed their dedicated Fire Investigation Team and chaired the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Fire Investigation Group which provides specialist fire investigation cover for the region. As a 27 year veteran of the fire service, I have been involved in fire investigation since training and introducing a fire dog into the West Yorkshire FRS in I was instrumental in establishing an Arson Task Force in the Killingbeck area of Leeds aimed at the reduction in deliberate fire setting, focusing on abandoned vehicle fires. I have been a member of the IAAI-UK since 2003, its inaugural year. I have sat on a number of national working groups including the IFE special interest group, Skills for Justice FI Qualifications group and CFOA FI Steering Group. I joined the UK-AFI Board of Directors in January 2012 with roles on the training committee and website team. I have developed and manage the new UK-AFI.org website and have introduced features to the site including, certificate downloads and online payments. I was elected to the IAAI International Board of Directors at the ITC in Orlando 2013 and I am standing for a second term in As a member of the international board I chair the Website Content Committee, the committee tasked with providing our international members with a resource library. I now have experience in both the public and private sector fire investigation arenas, using this experience I try to balance the needs of both sectors through my position on the board of the UK-AFI. I will continue to support our association from my position on the international board and as a hands-on practicing fire investigator. Emma WILSON Board of Directors After graduating with a degree in Biochemistry and a Masters in Biomolecular Archaeology (obscure but very interesting!) Emma decided that she wanted a career in forensic science. Emma has been a fire investigator since 2005; having been employed by the Forensic Science Service (FSS) in 2003 she made her way to the fire investigation unit in the London laboratory by way of DNA and toxicology, with a little dalliance in drugs. In 2012, she set up Prometheus Forensic Services with a couple of former colleagues and continued in fire investigation. Whilst working at the FSS the scene attendance requests Emma undertook were all made by police services, though not all of them were criminal cases in the end. Since working with Prometheus the variety of cases she undertakes is much wider and includes defence and insurance work. As a forensic fire investigator Emma has led on several hundred fire scenes including the Lakanal House fire in 2009, the Tottenham Riot fires in 2011, Op Linden in Cwmbran where three generations of the same family were murdered by fire in 2012 and Op Malleable, the series of fires in Oxfordshire earlier this year. Emma is involved in preparing and delivering training courses and lectures to crime scene investigators, Fire and Rescue Service Fire Investigators and students at universities. Some of the training she delivers is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, of which she is a member, for Continual Professional Development. Emma has forged a collaborative working relationship with the University of Kent in Canterbury to carry out research into different aspects of fire investigation and to encourage students to undertake research to try to answer the real-world questions that we all have. 10

11 I have been a member of the AFI-UK for the majority of my career as a fire investigator and regularly attend training conferences and meetings whenever possible. At the meetings I have met a large number of Fire and Rescue Service personnel (current and former both in the audience and on the committees), my route to fire investigation has been different to theirs and I believe I would bring a different point of view to the committee. I firmly believe that fire investigation is a melting pot; there are many ways in which we come to be fire investigators and our points of view may be varied and sometimes vastly different, but fire investigation as a discipline is stronger when we share those views and work together to use each other s strengths to improve our knowledge and abilities as fire investigators. I advocate joint working at all scenes I attend and promote that philosophy daily. The AFI-UK enables this by encompassing all of us working within fire investigation and striving to create a path to move our focus forward. Forensic Science and Fire Investigation within the UK is going through a turbulent time and there does not appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel yet. As part of the committee, I would take an active part in navigating the AFI-UK and its members through this. Leigh RICHARDS Board of Directors I joined West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) in 1995, having relocated from my hometown in Aylesbury Buckinghamshire, to Solihull where I now live with my wife Louise and two boys, William and Archie. Within just a few years of joining the fire service, I knew that it was WMFS Fire Research and Investigation Section that I wanted to be a part of, so I set my sights on working hard to achieve that goal. 20 years on and now one of five full-time fire investigators, I am extremely proud of the work that I have done and the results that I have achieved. I believe, that as a fire investigator within the public sector, we cannot work in isolation, but need to engage and embrace with all sectors of the fire investigation community, both at home and abroad, to keep a pace of change and to continually wave the flag of our professionalism. I am passionate about fire investigation and the fire service. I do feel however that serving fire officers are under-represented on the UK-AFI board. I do believe that the Association leads the way for fire investigation practitioners, regardless of which sector we work in, and as such, all sectors should be represented on the Board of Directors. This will allow us all to share, learn and develop from each other in partnership. Although not a board member, for the past few years I have been busy in the background managing the UK-AFI recall database, keeping it up to date with published recall notices. Information technology has a huge influence on the world in which we live in and is fast changing; the UK-AFI therefore needs to keep up to date with technology and develop as trends grow. Social media is a massive part of this and needs to be embraced to bring us all together as a fraternity. The skills I can offer to the UK-AFI and to you, the members is firstly a voice for the UK fire service and a skillset that includes web design, content management systems, social media and database management. Finally, we can only be the best through training and knowledge. I am currently undertaking a Master of Science Degree in Fire Scene Investigation and would like to encourage the UK-AFI to develop training workshops for members undertaking the Professional Development Programmes currently run by the Association. The IAAI-CFI, FIT and ECT qualifications are the benchmark and I will do all I can to promote their worth to our profession. I thank you and ask for your vote during nomination. Leigh. 11

12 Matt JONES Board of Directors I have been a member of the Fire & Rescue Service for over 15 years. I have conducted Fire Investigation for 14 years attending many incidents from Firefighter death, murder and accidental incidents all over Wales and England. I am responsible for the training and development of new and existing fire investigators in South Wales. During this time, I operated the first Hydrocarbon Detector dog in Wales, conducting this role for over 13 years. During my time of operating the Hydrocarbon Detector dog I was instrumental in implementing licensing standards for Hydrocarbon Detector dog across the UK. Currently I am involved with the writing and implementation of the new CFOA Hydrocarbon Detector dog standard. In August 2015 I became a director for the Canine Accelerant Detection Association, championing standards for Hydrocarbon Detector dog in USA. As a fire investigator, I have obtained a degree in Fire Scene Investigation along with my IAAI Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) qualification, IAAI-Evidence Collection Technician (IAAI- ECT), IAAI Certified Instructor (IAAI-CI) and IAAI Fire Investigation Technician (IAAI-FIT). Studying and obtaining these qualifications has allowed me to gain valuable skills and knowledge which I have used to support new fire investigators in obtaining the qualifications and skills. In my current role as All Wales UK-AFI representative I have been proactive in championing the benefits available from becoming a member of UK-AFI. In 2011 I organised and facilitated a UK-AFI conference which included many speakers from many different areas of fire and criminal investigation. Fire investigation is facing significant challenges in the future with the new Forensic Regulator's standards and continued finical challenges. As a member of the board for UK-AFI I would aim to support all members to the best of my ability while identifying future barriers and enablers for the wider fire investigation community. Nikki HARVEY Board of Directors Nikki Harvey started her Fire Service career with Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1992 before transferring to Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service in She has worked in Fire Control and HR as well as being an operational Retained Firefighter. Nikki became a Fire Investigation Support Officer and Dog Handler in 2007 and is also the service s arson liaison officer. Nikki and her dogs, CC (now retired) and Reqs, have assisted to investigate fires across the whole of the East Anglian region of England, attending just over 500 incidents during this time. As well as domestic property fires, Nikki and her dogs have been involved with some extremely high profile incidents including numerous arson investigations, fires resulting in high financial loss, fires where there has been a threat or loss of life and murder investigations. Nikki and the FI dogs attract a huge amount of media coverage for the work that they carry out and regularly feature in the local press and TV. They regularly receive high level praise for their work and have also received several awards in recognition of the important role that they play in arson detection and prevention. Nikki is also the Secretary of the Association of Fire Investigation Dog Handlers. 12

13 NEW NORTH WEST REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE Jonathan STEWART By the time of Publication, the UK-AFI will have a new Regional Representative for the North West Region. Jonathan Stewart (who prefers Jon) takes over from Deon Webber as the UK-AFI representative, covering the North West including those in the Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cumbria, Merseyside and Cheshire FRS. Jon started his career in fire when he joined the Royal Air Force as a firefighter in He served at a number of locations such as Marham, West Raynham & Machrihanish, where he was part of domestic and crash rescue firefighting team. After leaving the RAF in 1992, Jon joined Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) where he has served for the past 23 years. He is currently a Watch Manager at Eccles Fire Station in Salford just a few miles from his home. He has recently been successful in the Station Managers Gateway process and hopes soon to continue his progression through the ranks. As a rider officer Jon has been exposed to the investigation of fires throughout his career. He joined the world of fire investigation in 2002 as a full time member of the fire investigation team. During that time his interest motivated him to enrol and later graduate from the Anglia Ruskin University with an MSc in Fire Investigation in 2007, the first person in GMFRS to hold such a qualification. Also in 2007, Jon became a member of Manchester s first ever dedicated Fire Investigation Team, where he worked within a team of eight, investigating fires full time. Whilst a member of the FIT, he attended a large number of fires and explosions of all types, up to and including a number of fire related murders. Jon has always maintained a keen interest in training and played a key part in the training in fire investigation of around of Manchester s Crime Scene Investigators. In addition, he came up with the idea of producing a training programme aimed at first responders, highlighting their role in the investigation process. That DVD, named by Jon, Observe and Preserve, is widely in use in a number of FRS in the UK and Ireland and the concept was used as a basis for the IAAI training DVD The First Responders Role in Fire Investigation In 2008, Jon was selected to assist FI Team Manager Deon Webber in a review of the Fire Investigation of the fatal fire at Atherstone on Stour which, though finding that the investigation was of a very high standard, produced a series of recommendations for the future investigation of major incidents, which were put to the Fire Minister. Jon maintains his links with fire investigation through acting as a consultant for IFIC Forensics. He says that working in the private sector has added a new perspective for me but nonetheless interesting Jon looks forward to meeting regional colleagues and new faces at forthcoming training events and is there to support UK-AFI members on northwest@uk-afi.org 13

14 FUTURE FIRE FIGHTING AND ITS EFFECTS ON FIRE INVESTIGATIONS Jon STEWART As fire investigators, we should be only too aware that the actions of first responders can have a dramatic effect on the ability for us to effectively investigate the fire. The recent past has shown an increase in the training of first responders in the role they can play in preserving the scene for subsequent fire investigation but the physical act of extinguishing the fire can still have a dramatic effect on the post fire scene. For many years now the approach to fire-fighting has been developing much more scientifically and is now much more about quality than quantity. This is particularly true of fires involving compartments where the potential dangers to Fire-fighters require the careful and considered application of water to reduce the possibilities of a backdraft or the control of a fire during flashover conditions. In Greater Manchester however, as in other parts of the country, there have been further developments to fire-fighting equipment and tactics in its use, which may not only improve the safety of Fire-fighters and the efficiency of fire-fighting, but can also provide a beneficial reduction on the level of disturbance, which can assist at the investigation phase once the fire has been extinguished. ULTRA HIGH PRESSURE LANCE - UHPL Traditionally Fire Services have trained their personnel to fight a compartment fire from within. Recent research has provided us with information to indicate that introducing a high pressure water mist into the fire compartment prior to entry, will reduce the internal compartment temperature significantly. The application of the water mist through UHPL is achieved from outside of the fire compartment as it has the ability to pierce walls of stone, brick, metal and wood by introducing fine grit into the water stream to act as a cutting agent. Consequently, water enters the fire compartment and the temperature has been shown to reduce from around 500 degrees to 85 degrees in just 20 seconds. This rapid change in temperature makes conditions more survivable for those inside and much safer for Fire-fighters to enter, search and affect any necessary rescues. It also has the added benefit of reducing the potentially destructive effects of water jets and hose reels, minimising disturbance to the scene. There will be evidence of a UHPL fire attack at the scene in the form of a small hole in the wall, window frame or door. Additionally, Investigators should be aware of the possible introduction of the cutting agent (grit) into the room where the fire attack was made. If this method of fire attack has not been considered or discovered the presence of this foreign material may lead to some confusion over the reason for its presence. TACTICAL VENTILATION Lance in operational situations with a covering jet. 14

15 TACTICAL VENTILATION Tactical ventilation has taken place for many years now and can be achieved via natural means, such as opening windows or doors, or by mechanical means, through the introduction of a positive pressure fans to force the hot gases out of the building. There are many factors which affect the performance of both methods, and Fire-fighters are trained to recognise the various scenarios. The basic requirements are an inlet, an air track (route for the air to flow) and an outlet. Aggressive tactical ventilation has been utilised by many Fire Services around the world but the Swedish have led the world in its use. GMFRS has recently adopted the more aggressive line of tactical ventilation should a pre-determined criteria be met and on a risk assessment based judgement from the Incident Commander. If the condition criteria are met then the fan would be introduced at the inlet and once the air track is confirmed, Fire-fighters can then follow in the air flow in relative safety and with clear vision as the smoke is dispersed before them. In this situation, the incident becomes more survivable for any persons trapped inside the building and search and rescue is expedited. However, there are limitations for Incident Commanders. Careful consideration must be given to the phase, or level of tactical ventilation to be adopted, as improper selection can result in the rapid development of the fire within the affected compartment and ultimately to other areas within the building and possibly beyond its boundaries to affect neighbouring properties. If the more aggressive approach to tactical ventilation is taken (phase 3) then it is possible that the fire is already at the ventilation controlled state and the introduction of air under pressure may cause a disordered air flow resulting in unusual burn patterns. Spread of fire in this manner may increase the difficulty of any subsequent fire investigation by changing the patterns caused by heat, smoke and fire. Additionally, there is the possibility of evidential materials and objects becoming displaced, removed or even introduced to the scene; particularly if they are close to the inlet. John D. DeHaan notes that, in a post flashover fire, the turbulent mixing between combustion gases and fresh air being drawn into the room causes high and variable heat fluxes that can cause irregular damage to floors and floor coverings (1). Investigators should be aware of the need to consider the manner in which a fire was extinguished and the type of ventilation employed and how this may have affected the post fire scene. Smoke and hot gasses are forced out through the outlet following the introduction of Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) 15

16 UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) THE AERYON SKYRANGER Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have purchased a UAV, which is known as the AIR Unit; this stands for Aerial Imagery Reconnaissance (commonly known as a drone ). It s a lightweight, easily transportable quad-copter, and its main purpose is to both view a scene or incident in real time and also in a recorded format. It is the intention of GMFRS that the AIR Unit will be used in both emergency and non-emergency situations, to gather imaging data, which will be used by an Incident Commander (IC), to inform their decision making process and provide an enhanced situational awareness of the incident being attended. It is operated by a trained pilot, licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority and controlled using a hand held tablet. The Pilot is able to direct the AIR unit to the required destination, up to 750m away and to a height of 120m (GMFRS working height and distance), from where the footage from the camera can be viewed. The AIR unit camera is able to record images in High Definition and thermal imagery at the same time and has a 4x zoom lens. There are clear advantages to fire investigation: The speed that the Air unit can be put to work and the distance it can cover in a short space of time enabling the capture of events at an early stage. The ability to get close to the scene and record the physical detail from difficult to reach or inaccessible locations. It can be pre-programmed to follow pre-determined way-points or follow a programmable grid to ensure none of the areas of interest are neglected. The investigator will be able to view high quality images, photographic or video, taken during the incident from an advantageous aspect. These will provide evidence to confirm the speed and direction of the fires development and the impact of firefighting. HD Image from AIR Unit and Thermal Imaging of the same scene APPLIANCE CCTV For some time now all Fire appliances within GMF&RS have been fitted with a CCTV system which covers the appliance to almost 360 degrees which produces quality digital video footage. Originally, they were fitted to deter attacks on firefighters; however, they have since been used to good effect for the purpose of fire investigation. Whilst the cameras to the sides and rear are fixed, the front camera can be positioned manually and has a zoom function for greater detail. A view of the fire as the first appliances arrive can be a powerful and useful tool for the fire Investigator, giving early visual information to compare against witness accounts and the physical evidence at the scene. 16

17 Example of appliance CCTV footage CONCLUSION The criticisms traditionally made of Fire-fighters are: That evidence can be destroyed during the act of fire-fighting. That rigorous search techniques can disarrange a fire scene, albeit that the Fire-fighter is without sight in a smoke filled room. That Fire-fighters use too much water to fight the fire, destroying evidence and helpful investigative indicators within the scene even though they may have been exposed to extreme heat during the time taken to search for trapped persons or the fire itself. If future firefighting techniques are employed appropriately there will be occasions when Firefighters are able to enter a compartment in relative safety and with full vision, where they are able to search the property causing minimal scene disruption, where the use of water is judicious to prevent unnecessary water damage and where the smoke may have already been dispersed. Incident Commanders and Fire Investigators will be able to observe the footage from the on-board CCTV as the appliances arrive at the incident, where aerial reconnaissance can be utilised to get a full appreciation of the incident or view inaccessible areas in safety. If this is the case then people may be rescued, properties saved, the scene will be preserved, video footage of the developing fire may be available and Investigators may just have a better chance of recovering important evidence and determining what were the events that actually took place... Good news all round! Jon Stewart WM Greater Manchester FRS and the UK- AFI North West Regional Representative (1) DeHaan, John D. Kirk s Fire Investigation, 6th Edition pp 292, 293,

18 PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION Dear Readers, The UK-AFI are launching a photographic competition following the successful competition last year. Martin Bloomfield has kindly volunteered to run the competition for the association. Please see the link below to the submissions website which has been kindly hosted by Mediafiler. If you registered last year your user name and password are the same. If you are unable to recall your password, there is a link to retrieve it. There are three categories of images: Examiner at work, Fire Scene, Close up and Forensic Closing date is: SUNDAY 17 January midnight There is no restriction on the date the photograph was taken so have a good look through your archive of digital images! Please do not hesitate to contact me at: n.carey@uk-afi.org if you experience any problems submitting images to the competition. We plan to announce the results and present prizes to the winners at the ATC which is between January Good luck with your submissions. Kind regards, Nick Carey UK-AFI Vice President 18

19 MESSAGE FROM CHRIS BLACKSELL Chair of Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) Fire Investigation Strategic Steering Group (FISSG) Chris is the Deputy Chief Fire Officer of Humberside Fire and Rescue Service and the CFOA lead for Fire Investigation. As a Fire Investigator for many years in previous roles, including as part of the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional team, I already know many members of UK-AFI and am delighted to maintain that engagement both as a member myself and through my CFOA role, so I thought it would be useful to introduce the work of FISSG to anyone who isn't aware of it. CFOA is a membership association consisting of senior managers within the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) and is recognised as the professional voice of the UK FRS. As such it seeks to share good practice, share workloads in specialist areas and also lobby national decision makers at all levels, including within Government. The FISSG is made up of myself as Chair, individuals representing all UK FRS (through Regions, Devolved Administrations and the Channel Islands) and a number of other key stakeholders such as BRE, IFE, academia, Police and of course John Galvin representing UK-AFI Whilst it is almost impossible to sit that many people in one room who are passionate about Fire Investigation and not end up discussing specific cases (!) we do try and focus on issues of strategic national importance. The main issues that the group are dealing with at the moment is as follows Competency standards for Fire Investigation - Mark Doggett from Greater Manchester is leading on the development of a competency framework for FRS Fire Investigation and when the group have signed that off as a draft it will be consulted upon across the wider Fire Investigation community including UK-AFI. Lee Aspery from Durham and Darlington FRS is leading on the harmonising of standards for hydrocarbon detection dogs and that work is developing extremely well, some members will no doubt be involved, again that will be consulted upon more widely in the future. Information and intelligence sharing - Mark Johnson from the States of Jersey FRS is representing the group on the development of the new Incident Recording System with Government. Work appears slow at the moment and it is unclear what the outcome will be, but nevertheless Mark is ensuring that the requirements of Fire Investigators are understood by the people developing the system. I have been working, along with Charlie Pugsley from London Fire Brigade, with government departments and Trading Standards to look at how FRS FIs could share reports in a secure but accessible way. This work has also been very slow and we wait feedback from the Business Innovation and Skills Department on some work they agreed to undertake to review the EU wide market intelligence system ICSMS with a view to utilising that. I personally think that work could well be overtaken by other options and Andy Justice from Devon and Somerset FRS is working with CFOAs Integrated Data and Research Programme to see if that can provide a solution to the problem of FRS FIs not being able to access a searchable database of reports. Damian Watts from Hampshire FRS is also doing some interesting work with the Home Retail Group on improving arrangements for information sharing to drive product recalls when needed. Development of the Protocol for Fire Investigations in Criminal Cases - many members will have contributed to previous consultations and although CFOA weren't initially involved in the development I subsequently took a role on the working group. This has taken a significant amount of time and is still not in a position where it can be published. The work began when commissioned by the previous Forensic Regulator, but since Dr Gillian Tully has taken the role she has expressed a clear view regarding the importance of accreditation for any organisation undertaking criminal investigations. As the original document was seen as more of a stepping stone to potential accreditation in the future it may not now be appropriate to publish in its 19

20 existing from, there are a lot of discussions ongoing, with UK-AFI central in those discussion, and I'm sure that members will be updated when possible. I have had regular meetings with Dr Tully and whilst I share her view that quality standards in FI are extremely important, I have expressed my concerns about the potential impact of introduction in the FRS. In a world of challenging financial positions, the expenditure required to get accreditation, to carry out a role that is not a statutory duty for FRS, may have the unintended impact of causing some FRS to reconsider their FI provision. I am absolutely clear that FI should continue to be delivered by FRS, to help continually improving the safety of communities and firefighters, but nevertheless the potential cannot be overlooked and the fact that there are already examples of FRS effectively charging the Police to carry out investigations where arson is suspected signals the challenges ahead. I have shared my concerns with the National Police Chief's Council lead officers for Forensics and Arson, given the potential for increased costs to Police Forces. I have also raised it recently with the Chief Coroner while discussing many other FI issues which have an impact on Coroner's inquests, such as the outcomes of Prevention of Future Deaths Reports. Those areas are the main ones being developed by FISSG at present, but of course there is much more going on that hopefully will be of use to UK-AFI members. Please don't forget that you are represented on the group by John Galvin so if you do want to raise something with CFOA please liaise with him to discuss it. I look forward to the positive relationship between CFOA and UK-AFI continuing to grow. Thank you Chris Blacksell CFOA Fire Investigation UK-AFI FIRE INVESTIGATOR OF THE YEAR Nominations for this annual award are invited to recognise outstanding achievement through the use of professional expertise in the field of fire investigation and/or arson reduction. The recipient shall not be a current officer or member of the UK-AFI Board of Directors or a member of the Awards Committee. There will only be one annual Fire Investigator of the Year. To nominate an individual for this award you must submit: The name and contact details of the nominee (who should be aware that they are being nominated) The name and contact details of the Proposer (for verification) The name and contact details of the Seconder (for verification) The proposal must be supported with a 300 word submission (no photographs) of the nominees achievement or contribution relating to fire investigation and a short summary of approximately 100 words that will be read out during the presentation of the award at the UK- AFI 2015 Annual Training Conference. The nominee must be available to attend the Annual General Meeting and Annual Training Conference on 25 January 2016 to accept the award. The Awards Committee will be: John Galvin President UK-AFI Dr Nick Carey 1st Vice President UK-AFI Dr Peter Mansi Past President IAAI Claire Mansi Director of Administration UK-AFI Nominations should be submitted to the Awards Committee by the 31st December The address for nominations is claire.mansi@uk-afi.org If you have any questions about this award please contact Claire Mansi at the above address. 20

21 FIRE INVESTIGATION TECHNICIAN (IAAI-FIT ) IAAI-FIT The IAAI Fire Investigation Technician Program verifies an applicant's fundamental knowledge as measured against core job performance requirements of the established professional qualification standards for fire investigators defined in NFPA 1021, NFPA 1033 and NFPA The IAAI-FIT program encourages educational and professional development through recognition of an individual s accomplishments in developing core abilities and competencies related to fire investigation. The IAAI-FIT designation must be renewed every three years. Why earn the IAAI-FIT designation? Designation as an IAAI-FIT has many advantages, including: Acknowledgement by an independent body that the individual has demonstrated competence on the applicable professional qualification standards. Recognition by an independent body that the individual possesses fundamental knowledge required by the applicable professional qualification standards. Demonstration, through the recertification process, that the individual is keeping current with their training and professional knowledge development. Measurement of these achievements using a standardized mechanism, as set by the IAAI-FIT Committee. How do I become an IAAI-FIT? To become an IAAI-FIT, the applicant must: Have a minimum of 18 months of general experience in a fire investigation-related agency or industry. Have completed a minimum of 44 hours of tested training. Provide documentation of meeting minimum requirements including experience, training, and education. Pass a comprehensive examination with a score of 75% or above, once the application has been approved. The minimum 44 hours of tested training must be obtained via either Track A or Track B: Track A Complete the following mandatory classes from CFITrainer.Net : CFITrainer.Net - Ethics and the Fire Investigator (3 hours) CFITrainer.Net - NFPA 1033 and Your Career (2 Hours) CFITrainer.Net - The Practical Application of the Relationship Between NFPA 1033 and NFPA 921 (2 hours) Complete an Approved Comprehensive Fundamental Fire Investigations Course (40 hours) Track B Complete the following mandatory classes from CFITrainer.Net : CFITrainer.Net - Documenting the Event (4 hours) CFITrainer.Net - Ethics and the Fire Investigator (3 hours) CFITrainer.Net - NFPA 1033 and Your Career (2 Hours) CFITrainer.Net - The Practical Application of the Relationship Between NFPA 1033 and NFPA 921 (2 hrs) CFITrainer.Net - The Scientific Method for Fire and Explosion Investigation (3 hours) Complete 30 hours of General Tested Training related to fire scene investigation The application fee for IAAI Members is US$90. For non-members, the fee is US$325. Please note that individuals who are members of a local chapter only do not qualify for the IAAI Member rate. 21

22 To obtain the Member discount rate, a non-member may choose to join IAAI prior to filing the IAAI-FIT application. Once you have submitted the application, it will be reviewed by the IAAI-FIT Committee. If the application is approved, you will then be provided with instructions on how to take the examination. If the application is not approved, you will be advised of the appeals process. For detailed information on the full process of the IAAI-FIT program, please read the International Association of Arson Investigators Fire Investigation Technician Program Manual. I already hold the IAAI-FIT designation and need to renew. What do I do? Download and complete the IAAI-FIT Renewal Application. Return the application with the associated fee according to the instructions. IAAI-FIT renewal fees are US$70 for IAAI Members and US$325 for non-members. Please note that individuals who are members of a local chapter only do not qualify for the IAAI Member rate. Renewal requires documentation of 18 months of general work experience and 48 additional hours of tested training. IAAI-FIT renewal applicants are not required to retake the exam. Quick Links to Important Documents for the IAAI-FIT Program can be found at A separate Certified Fire Investigator program (IAAI-CFI ) is available through IAAI for those who are active as expert witnesses and have greater work experience (see below). For information on IAAI-FIT, at IAAI-FIT@firearson.com. CERTIFIED FIRE INVESTIGATOR (IAAI-CFI ) In 1986, the IAAI addressed an International concern by developing the Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI ) program. The IAAI-CFI qualification is a standardised evaluation of a fire investigator s training and expertise. Investigators applying for IAAI-CFI certification must complete an extensive application requiring documentation, earn sufficient points for their achievements in education, training, and experience, and pass a comprehensive examination. How do I become an IAAI-CFI? To become an IAAI-CFI, the applicant must: Attain at least 150 points on the IAAI-CFI application through documented achievements in education, training, and experience. Every point claimed on the application must be documented by certificate, diploma, reference letter, transcript, or other acceptable method. Earn a 70% passing grade on a comprehensive, "closed book," proctored examination that is based on every job performance requirement in NFPA 1033: Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator. The application must be approved prior to sitting for the examination. Investigators who hold the IAAI-CFI certification are required to re-certify every five years by completing a Recertification Application. A minimum of fifty (50) points must be obtained since the last certification date. Twenty (20) points must come from work experience and twenty (20) points from training (includes two CFITrainer.net modules). The renewal applicants are not required to retake the exam if they send in their applications before the expiration date. The IAAI-CFI certification is accredited by the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board). You do not have to belong to IAAI to become a Certified Fire Investigator through the IAAI-CFI program. 22

23 Why certify? Certification as an IAAI-CFI has many advantages for the investigator, including: Acknowledgement by an independent body that the investigator has demonstrated competence in all phases of fire investigation. Recognition by an independent body that the investigator possesses substantial field experience, as opposed to a primarily academic or theoretical background. Demonstration, through the recertification process, that the investigator is keeping current with their training and professional knowledge development. Measurement of these achievements using a standardised mechanism, as set by the IAAI-CFI Committee. HOW DO I EARN THE IAAI-CFI CERTIFICATION? Download the IAAI-CFI Application. Complete the application and return it to IAAI as directed, with the application fee. The application fee for IAAI Members is US$195. For non- Members, the fee is US$570. Please note that individuals who are members of a local chapter only do not qualify for the IAAI Member rate. To obtain the Member discount rate, a non-member may choose to join IAAI prior to filing the IAAI-CFI application. Once you have submitted the application, it will be reviewed by the IAAI-CFI Committee. If the application is approved, you will then be provided with instructions on how to take the proctored examination. If the application is not approved, you will be notified about the areas of deficiency and given an opportunity to make corrections. For detailed information on the full process of the IAAI-CFI program, please read the Practices & Procedures Manual for the International Association of Arson Investigators Certified Fire Investigator Program. If an investigator isn t an IAAI-CFI, does that mean the IAAI thinks that investigator is not qualified or competent? No. The IAAI-CFI program is voluntary and earning the credential is at the initiative of the investigator. Certification as a Fire Investigator by the IAAI does not determine who shall engage in the practice of the investigation of fires and explosions, nor does it substitute for any licensing or registration required by law. If an individual is not CFI certified, it does not indicate that he or she is unqualified to perform fire investigations. I already hold the IAAI-CFI certification and need to re-certify. What do I do? Download and complete the IAAI-CFI Recertification Application. Return the application as instructed with the associated fee (US$140 for IAAI members, US$520 for non-members). If you are not an IAAI member, you may obtain the member rate for recertification by joining IAAI prior to returning the Recertification Application. Recertification Applications should be submitted at least 30 days prior to your IAAI-CFI certification expiration date. Quick Links to Important Documents for the IAAI-CFI Program can be found at For information on the IAAI-CFI Program IAAI-CFI@firearson.com. 23

24 MESSAGE FROM PETER MANSI Immediate Past President of the IAAI and UK-AFI Dear UK-AFI Members, After 13 years of being on the UK-AFI Board (born as the IAAI-UK) I will be stepping down at our 2016 AGM. Starting anything from a blank sheet is challenging! When you couple the normal developmental challenges of name recognition, organising training events, producing and managing our Newsletters, web sites, membership and product recall database as examples, along with the politics involved with progressing our association in a professional manner whilst working with many other organisations, it all takes a big team effort. I have been fortunate enough to have been involved with a great and dynamic team and work with members that passed through that team over the years to hopefully make a difference. The most rewarding experience for me has been all the members I have come to know. We are a small community and your support for this association since January 2003 has been tremendous and I have felt honoured to have served on the UK Board. I thank every board member and Regional Representative that has support our association. I wish every success to those that are bravely putting themselves forward for the 2016 elections and ask you to give them your full support. I know the UK-AFI will continue to go from strength to strength. I will continue at every opportunity to encourage those of you that have not attained the IAAI- FIT or IAAI-CFI to do so. The IAAI-CFI is recognized worldwide and is not only Pro Board accredited but also accredited by the US Forensic Science Accreditation Board (FSAB). I am not going to totally disappear and will always continue to support the UK-AFI in any way I can as I will always be your first Past President from 25 January 2016! I would like to thank the one most influential person that has driven me when I have sometimes wanted to throw the towel in, and that is my lovely wife Claire Mansi, who as you know, is your new Director of Administration. Thank you Claire x. Claire Mansi IAAI-FIT, IAAI-ECT And finally I want to thank your current President John Galvin and your Incoming President, Dr Nick Carey for all their support and friendship, during 2002 when we were establishing the foundations of the UK-AFI and for these 13 years since our inaugural meeting at City Hall in January With best wishes to you all, Peter Mansi Immediate Past President Director Chris Clarke, 1st VP Dr Nick Carey, Dr Peter Mansi, UK-AFI supporter Robert Rullan and President John Galvin at the end of my IAAI Presidential year in Chicago