(a) The Chief of the Fire Department, the Fire Marshal or a designated Investigator shall cause to be investigated the cause, origin and circumstances of every fire occurring in the City involving loss of life or injury to person, or by which property has been destroyed or damaged and, so far as possible, shall determine whether the fire is the result of carelessness or design. Such investigations shall begin immediately upon the occurrence of such a fire, and if it appears to the Chief or the Fire Marshal or his designated investigator, that such fire is of suspicuous origin, he shall take immediate charge of the fire investigation, secure physical evidence, and act as the Law Enforcement authority designated to pursue the investigation of such matters and further cooperate with other agencies in the collection of evidence and in the prosecution of the case.
(b) The Fire Chief, Fire Marshal or designated Investigator shall have the authority to examine witnesses, compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and papers, administer oaths, bear firearms, make arrests and enter, for the purpose of examination, any building which has been destroyed or damaged by fire or explosion, or which, in his opinion, is in danger from fire.
(c) The Fire Chief shall establish a minimum standard of training to govern all investigators involved in law enforcement activities, to include: firearms, search and seizure, laws of arrest, and any other law enforcement training deemed necessary to maintain professional law enforcement standards.
(Ord. 54-93. Passed 8-16-93.)