Fire Department - Fire Investigation Team

Specially trained fire investigators make up one of the Fire Department's most unique specialty teams. Fire investigators are trained to be part scientist, part detective, and even part psychologist. This training includes attendance at the National Fire Academy, where they receive intensive instruction in fire cause determination and arson detection.

Fire investigations are conducted on fires involving a significant loss, a suspicious ignition factor, undetermined origin, or other unusual factors. The investigators trace the fire damage back to the fire's origin, then sift and sort through the often charred remains to determine the cause of the fire. Fire investigations are important not only to arson detection, but also to fire prevention activities.

The Fire Investigation Team includes nine shift fire fighters, two Fire Prevention Bureau inspectors, the Idaho Falls Building Department's electrical inspector, a member of the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office, and a member of the Idaho Falls Police Department. The team has converted an old fire department ambulance into an investigation van, which houses and transports the equipment necessary to conduct an efficient fire cause and origin investigation.