Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To conduct, lead and report on investigations into origin, cause, and circumstances of all serious injury or fatal fires and gaseous explosions (including large loss, institutional, suspicious fires and fires or explosions that have high provincial interest) and require investigation by the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal. To provide expertise, training and consultative advice on fire investigation and prevention and to act as an expert testimony on behalf of the crown or coroner at prosecutions in criminal, civil and coroners inquests.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Responding to investigation requests throughout Ontario on a 24/7 basis, job requires:
1. Representing the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal in response to requests by Fire or Police Departments, insurance adjusters and the public requiring the investigation of fires involving fatalities (e.g. accidental, suicide, homicide) and/or critical injuries, explosions, deliberate, malicious setting or arson, large loss fires of unusual origins or circumstances or fires that may have high provincial interest.

2. Creating, organizing and leading multi-agency teams (e.g. fire and police departments, technical staff) at fire scenes to control all movements and logistics of equipment and manpower at the scene; setting up command centres and providing direction on requirements to support the investigation (e.g. secure scene, required resources - coroner, gas company, industrial hygienist; need for specialized equipment and electronic instruments; safety considerations); ensuring no duplication of efforts, no contamination of evidence and exercising regulatory authority regarding legislation and legal requirements. Responding to media inquiries on behalf of the Fire Marshal.

3. Conducting investigations based on established fire investigation methodology regarding the origin, cause and circumstances of fires; examining fire scene, building and premises; ensuring continuity, stability and resource requirements are met; maintaining rules of evidence; gathering and preserving evidence in accordance with Federal and Provincial statutes; conducting fire tests to prove theories, photographing scenes, locating, conducting interviews with key witnesses/suspects within evidentiary rules; recording statements; appraising the veracity of witnesses/suspect and identifying perpetrators.

4. As part of the OFMs Fire Comprehensive Fire-Safety Effectiveness Model and the OFMs fire prevention education program to ensure public safety; assessing and interpreting findings and preparing fire investigation reports detailing cause and origin of fire with recommendations regarding the most appropriate follow up warranted by evidence. Advising Managers, Supervisors and client group regarding deficiencies in fire safety legislation, regulations, standards, handling of fires, trends re products and related public safety issues, fire prevention as a result of facts obtained from investigations and recommending changes as deemed necessary for public safety.

5. Making recommendations, coordinating and presenting evidence and appearing as an expert witness at various legal proceedings (e.g. prosecutions, civil, coroners inquests). Attending all post mortems to support the pathologist and providing information regarding fire scene findings to determine cause of death. Acting as part of a multi-faceted team after fire scenes to participate in briefings/debriefings at case conferences with the coroners office, police and forensic identification officers to discuss conclusions and possible prosecutions.

6. Providing training, consultative advice and expertise on a range of topics including arson detection, investigation, prevention and apprehension of arsonists, fire and explosion investigation through the preparation, coordination and presentation of materials for lectures, seminars and training to OFM staff, fires services; the judiciary, crown attorneys, coroners, law enforcement agencies, fire fighting services, insurance industry, government services, community colleges and service organizations. Participating as a member of committees, working groups and task forces to provide expertise.

7. Performing administrative responsibilities for the District Office and in support of investigation and related activities including: preparing administrative documentation, developing and maintaining files, credit cards usage reports, ensuring vehicle maintenance, office equipment and preparing administrative reports required by management.

8. Collecting and disseminating sensitive criminal intelligence information on fire setters in Ontario.

9. Participating as a member of a response team to provide information and assistance to support the OFM in Phase 2 and 3 Investigations (i.e. beyond origin and cause; assisting in evaluating building performance, fire code standards, fire suppression, and evaluation of human behaviour and recommending changes to legislation and policy).

Staffing and Licencing :

Federal and Provincial security clearances, sworn Peace Officer under the Criminal Code.

Valid G drivers license or better

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of:

• current and emerging fire investigative methods, techniques, procedures and theories to conduct, evaluate and report on investigations into fatals, explosions, large loss fires, incendiary fires, serious threats to life, multi-unit fires where the fire spreads from unit of origin in order to determine cause and origin and provide findings and recommendations.
• fire dynamics, chemistry of fire/combustion and scientific and technical principles (e.g. flashpoints, vapour density, ignition temperatures) to analyse post fire indicators and evidence to support conclusions
• court proceedings and rules of evidence to prepare and present expert evidence in prosecutions.
• mandate of the Office of the Fire Marshal, the Fire Investigation Standard Operating Guidelines, and relevant legislative authorities (e.g. Fire Protection and Prevention Act, Canada Evidence Act, Criminal Code of Canada, Coroners Act, Energy Act, Charter of Rights, Freedom of Information Act, Right to Privacy Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act to ensure compliance with OFM standards and legislative authorities throughout the investigative process and to provide advice to contacts regarding legislative requirements and standards.
• use and operations of various investigative and safety equipment (e.g. cameras, glass jars, nylon bags, monitoring equipment, respirator, safety boots) to collect, seize and secure evidence in support of investigations
• interviewing techniques to interview witnesses and suspects in often sensitive and dangerous situations.
• materials in furnishings and fabrics to assess the effect of fires on these products in support of investigations.
• leadership techniques to direct investigation teams comprised of police, fire department and insurance company personnel and facilitate collaborative efforts
• commercial and industrial manufacturing operations and business record keeping to examine records, understand industrial processes, and chemical technology when conducting investigations to determine irregularities and potential cause of fires.
• use and operations of various software programs (Microsoft Office Suite) and software systems to utilize programs in support of ongoing responsibilities.

Skills :

• analytical skills to determine cause of fire/explosions and to investigate and/or report on breakdown in fire prevention and safety practices through the examination of premises, assessment of damage and collection of evidence.
• evaluating skills to perform initial scene assessments to identify potential hazards, to document the scope and requirements of the investigation and to ensure the safety of the investigator, support staff and public.
• analytical skills to determine the structural integrity of a structure and the manner in which the investigation can be conducted
• analytical skills to assess appropriate corrective action in compliance with legislation and standards (including determining if the situation fits the OFM mandate)
• analytical skills to recognize public safety hazards and fire safety issues beyond criminal acts
• analytical skills to identify trends in fire causes (e.g. hazardous products) and reporting on public safety issues
• analytical and evaluative skills to examine fire/explosion scene/business records to assist in determining criminal acts and establish cause
• evaluating skills to evaluate all evidence and recommending changes after evaluation of evidence
• analytical skills to evaluate adequacy and condition of fire safety programs
• research skills to remain current with new trends and information regarding products and methods in support of ongoing responsibilities and to collect information on sensitive criminal intelligence information on fire setters in Ontario
• oral and written communication skills to prepare and present evidence in criminal/civil proceedings or inquests, provide technical expert evidence in laypersons terms and as a court appointed expert, to develop, explain, verify, dispel theories or possibilities of all expert testimony or fire related witness evidence on behalf of court or inquest.
• oral and written communication skills to convey technical information relating to the application of legislation and policy and fire investigation findings
• oral communication and interpersonal skills to provide training, advice and expertise to a variety of colleagues and clients (e.g. police services, fire departments, Crown, municipal officials, etc.) on a range of investigation related topics.
• oral communication and interpersonal skills to interview witnesses during fire investigation and secure the cooperation of witnesses in often sensitive situations (e.g. deaths of family member)
• oral communication and interpersonal skills to promote, encourage and persuade support during investigations as lead of teams involving fire departments and police services and to mediate, assist and promote investigation findings to a variety of sources (e.g. reconcile opposing views amongst agencies, police and fire departments)
• written communication skills to record and maintain chronological records of incidents and to draft criminal code search warrants
• proficiency using computer software systems to manage and evaluate data, create presentation/course material and prepare reports, using spreadsheets, word processing and other software is mandatory.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working within sound investigative methods, techniques and processes, legislative and regulatory authorities relevant to the work of the Office of the Fire Marshal (e.g. Criminal Code of Canada, Charter of Rights, case law). Job requires latitude in decision making by: exercising regulatory authority and representing the interests of the Office of the Fire Marshal at all assigned fire scenes including assessing and determining priorities; creating and organizing teams comprising the police, fire department and technical resources; delegating tasks and undertaking investigative processes; determining need for additional resources (e.g. Coroners Office, crime lab, Fire Protection Engineers); negotiating equipment requirements and assessing/reassessing information and ensuring team understands legal obligations in often tense and emotional fire scene situations where there is no direct supervision, many competing priorities, varying conditions and demands. Job requires developing theories and rationalizing them from research of the fire scene/fire tests, drawings, Forensic laboratory findings, engineering findings and witness/accused information and providing training on a variety of investigation topics. Job requires advising the Supervisor of deficiencies in fire safety legislation, regulations, and standards and in informing the Supervisor of provincial interest, potential serious threats to public safety and political issues. Job keeps supervisor and OFM management informed through regular reporting of major occurrences, high profile incidents.