Activation of Fire Investigators

Scope

This Operational Guideline is for the allocation and activation of Authorised Fire Investigators (AFI) to incidents that require formal investigation in accordance with the fire investigation criteria.

Fundamental Protocols underpin the actions of all NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) members and must be adhered to at all times. They outline the Principles of being an RFS member and provide guidance on conduct to support the safety and wellbeing of members.

Guiding Principles

• AFIs are required to attend and determine the origin and cause of a fire occurring within a Rural Fire District (RFD) where one or more of the following fire investigation criteria are met:
  • There is a fire or explosion that has damaged or destroyed property (fire appliances, structures (dwellings, sheds (not domestic), outbuildings), plant, machinery, vehicles, fencing, stock, produce, crop (not limited to that of the landowner), including bushland, within NSW and:
    • Where a fire incident has caused the death of, or serious injury to, a firefighter or any member of the public;
    • Where the incident is likely to be of significant media or public interest, or results in a declaration under section 44 of the Rural Fires Act 1997 (s44);
    • Where the fire may be one of several deliberately lit fires in or near a particular location;
    • Where a person is suspected of lighting the fire;
    • A structure fire where the suspected cause is undetermined; and/or
    • Where a request is made by the RFS Commissioner.
• The District Duty Operations Officer (DDOO), in consultation with the Incident Controller (IC), will determine if a fire requires a Fire Investigation. If a Fire Investigation is required, the DDOO will:
  • Ensure the next ICON Situation Report (Sitrep) is updated with the most applicable Suspected Cause and authorise the Sitrep as YES for Fire Investigation;
    • Where there is a requirement for Fire Investigation, incidents should be left at ‘Patrol’ in ICON until triaged.
  • Activate a local AFI from within the District to conduct the Fire Investigation; or
  • Follow the Activation of Authorised Fire Investigator/s Flowchart (Appendix One) should a local resource be unavailable.
• The DDOO is responsible for ICON allocation, and facilitation of vehicles and equipment from District.

Special Considerations

• An investigation may be conducted by an AFI concurrently to the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) who may also be investigating the incident. As these investigations may have different objectives (including origin and cause), it is important to conduct an RFS formal investigation. NSWPF have the right to refuse access to AFIs.
• Fires involving a fatality must be reported immediately to the Operational Communications Centre (OCC) as a notifiable incident  and allocation by District must be done in consultation with the SDDO and the Fire Investigation & Compliance Unit (FICU).
• Fires likely to or resulting in an s44 will be allocated and activated by the FICU. The fire that is the trigger for the s44 declaration, is the fire that needs to be investigated. All other fires within a declaration area, are only investigated if they meet the fire investigation criteria.
• For incidents outside of s44s or fatalities, it is not critical to activate an AFI immediately, however prompt attendance improves Fire Investigation results. It is prudent to notify and ascertain the availability of an AFI as soon as possible, especially for structure fires.
• Fire Investigations should be conducted within 48 hours of an incident being declared out.
• Where an AFI is activated from an adjoining District or further afield, the District seeking the AFI is responsible for the travel related costs, including accommodation and meals, where required.

Standard Activation Templates

Related Information

• Activation of Authorised Fire Investigator/s Flowchart (printable PDF)
• OMP 4.03.01 Notifiable Incidents
• Rural Fires Act 1997

Appendix One - Activation of Authorised Fire Investigator/s Flowchart