SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
D. The Incident Commander shall request the Fire Investigator to conduct an investigation whenever
any of the following circumstances exist:
Procedure
1. All incendiary fires or whenever there is any suspicion of incendiaries or arson.
2. Fires with a fatality.
3. False alarms in which there is a possible suspect.
4. Bomb threats and explosions.
5. Request by the owner of the property that the fire be investigated.
6. Any other situation in which the Incident Commander determines a need requiring
immediate investigation by the Fire Investigator.
7. Only the Fire Chief or his designee shall have the authority to request assistance from the
State Fire Marshal’s Office.
A. During firefighting operations, be alert for conditions which may indicate incendiaries.
B. Begin fire investigation procedures as soon as possible.
C. Endeavor first to determine the point of origin.
D. Endeavor to determine the cause of the fire.
E. Conduct overall operations with care, as directed by Command.
F. Preserve all possible evidence which may be found.
G. Secure overall operations, as far as may be practical, until the arrival of the Fire Investigator.
H. Only authorized fire and police personnel shall be permitted in the building until permitted by the
Incident Commander or the Fire Investigator.
I. If the fire is of a suspicious nature, no information concerning the fire shall be released except
location, time of call, number of personnel, and number of apparatus responding, until authorized.
The fire shall be classified as “under investigation” until other information is released by the Fire
Chief or his/her designee.
J. Only the Fire Chief or his/her designee may release the cause of a fire under investigation to
anyone.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: January 1, 2009 Page | 14
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley