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The Fire Investigations Unit, headed by the department's deputy chief, is charged with the responsibility to investigate the origin, cause and circumstances of undetermined, incendiary, suspicious fires, along with all fires where serious injury or death occur.

Members of the Fairfield Investigations Unit

Deputy Chief Dennis Glenn
Fire Inspector Rick Scheiba
Firefighter Tom Kuykendall
Firefighter Shawn May
Firefighter Brian Bowling

The Fire Investigations Unit searches for the reason and source of the fire, and if it was incendiary, finding who and why the fire was started. The unit then collaborates with the Fairfield Police Department in the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

Members of the Fairfield Fire Department Investigations Unit attend many training courses that are offered in the United States through colleges, universities, state fire schools, insurance companies and local arson/fire task forces.

Along with the local police departments, Fairfield investigators work closely with the Butler County Sheriff's Office, Butler County Fire Investigation Team, Hamilton County Scat Team and the State Fire Marshall's Office.

About arson

Arson has become one of the most expensive crimes in the United States and Canada. Its incidence is growing at an ever-increasing rate and may account for more than $2 billion a year in losses. About 15 percent of all building fires and one-fourth of dollar losses from building fires are attributed to arson.

• Arson causes loss of jobs and income.
• Arson causes loss of business taxes.
• Arson causes increased insurance premiums.
• Arson forces tax increases to pay for additional fire and police protection and other community services.
• Arson results in loss of personal property that may be irreplaceable.

Estimates by many experienced fire experts indicate that at least half of all reported fires today are purposely set, with the total damage costing us billions of dollars per year.

What you can do

At first glance it appears that the arson problem only affects "someone else" or that it is the sole responsibility of the fire and police departments. In reality, the person most directly affected is you, the average property owner or renter.

Here are three suggestions on how you or your group can influence the reduction of arson in your community:

Protect your property: Don't make your property an easy target for amateur arsonists. Keep potential fire sites (refuse areas, storage locations, stairwells, porches, etc.) clear of easily ignitable materials.

Properly secure all doors and windows of your home, especially garage and basement areas, to eliminate easy access for a potential arsonist. Business owners can increase security arrangements presently used by locking and barring doors and windows, beefing up fire warning and alarm systems, contracting fire security guard service or requesting increased police patrols during night hours.

Cooperate with Investigators: If a fire of questionable origin should occur in your neighborhood, cooperate fully with the investigating police, fire and insurance company representatives. Provide them with any information you may have seen or heard about suspicious persons, activities, explosions, color of smoke or condition at the site of the fire prior to the arrival of the fire department.

Become Informed and Involved: Share this information with others in your neighborhood. A representative of your group or neighborhood can attend public safety or city council meetings to determine how well the police and fire departments are organized to meet the local arson challenge.