The Fire Investigation Section exists as an operational arm of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Community Safety Directorate. Its purpose is to investigate and report on the causes and fire dynamics of the more serious incidents attended by Strathclyde Fire & Rescue.
The intelligence and information which the Section gathers assists in the development of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue's Community Safety strategies and initiatives. By identifying those persons/groups most at risk. This information is also made available to a range of partner agencies such as Police, Procurator Fiscal, the Health and Safety Executive in the exercise of their functions.
The Fire Investigation Section makes a significant contribution to community safety not only locally but also nationally, by sharing data with other Fire & Rescue Services.
| Fire Investigation Teams |
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Twelve Watch Commanders (fire investigators) are based in an outbuilding at Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Headquarters, and provide continuous twenty-Four hour cover. Two dayshift Watch commanders and an admin support assistant complete the complement of the section.
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| Incident Attendance |
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The Fire Investigators attend incidents in a purpose built vehicle containing a range of specialist equipment. At incidents the Investigators, often working alongside forensic scientists, Police and the SPSA (Scottish Police Services authority), carry out highly detailed examinations of fire scenes, take statements from firefighters and other witnesses, and gather evidence from all available sources. In furtherance of its investigations into fatal fires, the Section has secured Crown Office approval as an appropriate recipient of confidential Post Mortem and toxicological data.
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| Fire Investigation Reports |
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All relevant information is collated into a formal Fire Investigation Report, which is subject to quality assurance checking. Although the majority of reports are utilised internally and by Police or Procurators Fiscal, Fire Investigation Reports are, in certain circumstances, made available to third parties who have a legitimate interest. The reports contain detailed and exact information involving extensive research and are collated from a variety of sources.
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