Arizona Fire Investigators Work to Make the Job Safer

February 5, 2009 – Because there are very few health and safety standards specifically addressing the needs of the investigator, the Safety Division of the Phoenix, Arizona Fire Department has launched its own study to determine the proper level of respiratory protection needed during fire investigations.

“We have to protect ourselves from the carcinogens released into the air as a result of a fire,” says Willie Nelson, Phoenix fire investigator and a member of Phoenix Local 493. “However, it is impractical to wear a full complement of protective gear throughout an investigation. We want to see at what point after a fire it is safe to downgrade our gear.”

Fire investigators participating in the study will wear a vest outfitted with air sampling equipment. The equipment will be changed every 30 minutes for an hour and a half. The investigator will also document variables such as extent of damage and structure contents.

The air samples will be analyzed by an independent laboratory and the results will be evaluated by an industrial hygienist.

It is too soon to tell how long the study will last or what the results will be. “There is no pre-determined time frame for the study because we do not know how long it will take to develop a clear pattern,” explains Nelson. Once a pattern emerges, fire investigators can begin to develop safety guidelines.

Currently, NFPA 921 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations is the accepted guideline for investigating fire and explosion incidents. While the guide offers a “scientific” approach to fire investigating, information on the use of respiratory protective gear is limited.

Phoenix has 14 fire investigators who are dispatched at the request of the fire scene command to determine the cause of fire. If arson or other criminal acts are suspected, they work together with police.