42O-Structure Fires 2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Policy & Procedure Page 1 of 6 Lexington Police Department Subject: Structure Fires Policy Number: 42O Accreditation Standards: Reference: Effective Date: 12/1/10  New  Revised Revision Dates: 1/24/19 By Order of: Mark J. Corr, Chief of Police GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GUIDELINES The role of the police at a fire scene is to support fire-fighting operations by assisting in the preservation of life, protection of property, prevention of crime, establishment of fire lines, control of crowds and direction of vehicular traffic. Although the Lexington Fire Department is the public agency directly responsible for the handling of fires, the police also have an important part to play. Because of the nature of their primary patrol function, especially during the nighttime and early morning hours, the police are often the first to discover a fire, the first on the scene and the first to alert and assist the occupants of a burning building. Police officers must also be aware of the possibility of arson and be observant for any person acting suspiciously at a fire scene. It should be noted, however, that the basic responsibility for the investigation of fires of incendiary or suspicious origin is with the Lexington Fire Department. We will assist during their investigation; the State Fire Marshall's Office may be contacted for additional assistance.i The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office has jurisdiction for the investigation into any death resulting from a fire. Police officers, as part of their regular patrol duties, should note and report any conditions, which could constitute a potential fire hazard to the fire department for necessary action. It is the policy of the Lexington Police Department to:  Support firefighting operations by assisting the fire department in isolating access to the fire scene by bystanders and on-lookers, provide fire scene access to firefighting personnel and equipment, establish fire lines, control crowds, and direct vehicular traffic at fire scenes; and  Cooperate and partner with The Lexington Fire Department, The State Fire Marshall’s Office and the District Attorney in the investigation of fires to determine the cause and nature of structure fires.