Policy Text
INVESTIGATION OF FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/01/89 STANDARD NO. 058 REVISED: 10/24/18
REPLACES: SOP Investigation of Fires and Explosion 09-03.1-3 – Rev. 01/01/03; Rev. 06/01/05; Rev.
12/11/14;
OBJECTIVE: To establish criteria for the investigation of fires, arsons or explosions.
POLICY: It is the policy of the Homestead Police Department (HPD) to respond to and
investigate all fires and explosions.
SCOPE: All employees of this Department shall be governed by the procedures set forth
below.
I. GENERAL:
A. It shall be the responsibility of HPD to:
1. Respond to the scene of all fire/explosive related incidents.
2. Assist Miami-Dade Fire Department (MDFD) with the safety of persons and
property, crowd control and traffic management.
3. Secure and protect the scene of a fire/explosion that could be or is the subject of
a possible investigation.
4. Conduct the criminal investigation of fire/explosive incidents of unknown cause,
suspicious fires, and arson-related fires in conjunction with the State Fire Marshal
and the Miami-Dade Fire Department.
5. Complete an Offense Incident Report and/or Supplemental Reports detailing the
incident and findings of the investigation.
B. Included offenses reference arson investigations are, but not necessarily limited to the
following:
1. Arson, F.S.S. 806.01.
2. Preventing/Obstructing Fire Extinguishment, F.S.S. 806.10.
3. Fire Bombs, F.S.S. 806.111.
4. Manufacture/Distribution of Explosives, F.S.S. 522.
5. Attempts/Conspiracies, F.S.S. 777.
6. Appropriate Miami-Dade County Ordinances, Chapter 21.
II. PROCEDURES:
Investigation of Fires and Explosions – SOP# 058
A. When a fire or explosion is reported to HPD, the Miami-Dade Fire Department shall be
immediately notified.
B. The police shall respond to the scene of all fires/explosives related incidents.
C. Upon the first officer’s arrival at the scene, he/she shall not enter a structure or area on
fire to attempt a rescue unless they are certain that a human life is in jeopardy. Unless
officers can affect a human rescue with a minimum of personal risk, officers shall not
attempt to enter a burning structure or area. Officers shall remain cognizant of the
potential for harm and loss of life occurring by improperly entering a structure or area
where toxic and explosive fumes have accumulated and proper ventilation has not
occurred.
D. Officers shall not attempt to enter structures or areas on fire to salvage property.
E. The primary officer assigned to a structure fire, shall ascertain from MDFD Incident
Commander if he/she will be requesting a MDFD Arson Investigator to determine the
cause of the fire (i.e. suspicious, undetermined, or arson).
F. If the MDFD Incident Commander advises a MDFD Arson Investigator will be responding
to the scene, the primary unit shall notify and coordinate with the on duty Shift
Commander. If it is determined that a State Fire Marshal is needed, HPD dispatcher will
be notified to contact Florida Highway Patrol and request that the on-call State Fire
Marshal be dispatched to the incident location.
G. If the MDFD Arson Investigator requests a police arson investigator to the scene, the
officer shall notify the Shift Commander and request a police arson investigator to
respond to the scene.
H. A police arson investigator shall respond to a fire/explosive related incident when:
1. Requested to do so by command personnel from the Miami-Dade Fire
Department.
2. Any injury or death occurs as a result of the fire/explosion.
3. If no police arson investigator is available, the Shift Commander will contact the
GIU Sergeant who will provide assistance in coordinating the investigation.