d record of service, including six years as NVFC Chairman and 39 years as a volunteer firefighter, Allinson’s accomplishments exemplify outstanding performance. The NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award is sponsored by Scott Health and Safety, a business unit of Tyco International.
"Scott Health & Safety is proud to sponsor this prestigious award," said Mike Ryan, Vice President and General Manager of the Scott business. "I cannot think of anyone more deserving than Fred Allinson. Over the course of a lengthy and distinguished career as a firefighter, Fred has demonstrated great leadership ability and earned immense respect from his peers in the fire service."
Allinson received the award during a special ceremony at the NVFC Board Meeting on September 25 in Coralville, IA. Current NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg praised Allinson’s achievements and commended him for the growth the NVFC experienced under Allinson’s leadership, especially financially. "Fred’s fundraising efforts placed the NVFC on solid financial ground that allows the NVFC to continue to do its important work even in these tough economic times."
Allinson started volunteering in 1963 at King County (WA) Fire District 2 after witnessing a friend drop everything to answer a call. He volunteered there for 30 years and rose to the rank of Battalion Chief. He earned praise and admiration from his fellow department members by leading through example, not just words.
In 1993, Allinson moved to North Highline (WA) Fire District where he served as a Battalion Chief and was placed in charge of the volunteer program in this combination department. He retired from the department in 1999 to focus on serving as the Chairman of the NVFC, a position he held from 1995 until retiring from the Board in 2001.
An active Board member in the Washington State Fire Fighters Association (WSFFA) from 1973 to 1983, Allinson served as WSFFA President in 1980. He was also the WSFFA’s conference coordinator for 17 years. In addition, Allinson has served as a member of the World Federation of Volunteer Firefighters Association, NVFC representative on the Congressional Fire Services Institute’s National Advisory Committee, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Board, and the Forestry and Rural and Technical Correlating Committees of the National Fire Protection Association.
Allinson has been an important advocate of the fire service. He testified before Congress in 2000 regarding the Volunteer Fire Assistance Program, which provides grants to fire departments protecting communities of 10,000 or less to purchase equipment and training to improve wildland firefighting readiness. He also attended the President’s Summit for America’s Future on the NVFC’s behalf, advocating volunteer first responder issues.
Among the awards he has received for his service, Allinson was named Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year in 1999 by Fire Chief Magazine and was honored by the King County Council in May 2001 with a proclamation for “Fred Allinson Day.” He is retired from UPS. Allinson and his wife of 54 years, Carolyn, have three children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.…
patch date).
Time in 24 hour clock time (time that fire investigation unit arrives on scene).
Address (corrected when applicable).
Fire out or still in progress.
Describe physical characteristics of what burned (structure, vehicle identification. wildland). Give dimensions when possible and detailed descriptions.
Describe main streets and access to building or property.
Describe weather/lightning conditions when applicable.
Identify who requested the response (Incident Command, Police Department, citizen, etc.). Give assignment/unit if known.
Identify who was dispatched (investigator name and serial number).
II. Observations
Describe patterns/factors that substantiate area/point of origin.
Localize area/point of origin by using references within structure, vehicle, or wildland.
Describe what actually burned (focusing on an area/point of origin)
Describe unique factors that may exist (trailers, devices, multiple fires, etc.)
Establish fire cause.
Accidental
Substantiate accidental fire cause by what existed at area/point of origin.
Describe problem(s) that may have contributed to the fire.
Establish condition of utilities.
Eliminate multiple accidental causes, focusing on a single cause when possible.
Criminal
Establish incendiary cause through physical evidence at scene. (The decision of incendiary cause should be based solely on investigator observations and physical evidence.)
Describe in detail, patterns/factors in establishing your incendiary cause.
Substantiate multiple fires as being separate and distinct from one another.
Establish a negative corpus delicti through methodical elimination of all accidental, natural, and mechanical causes.
Additional Factors to Consider
Establish security of premises and type of alarm (contact, motion, supervised, etc.).
Alarm company information (phone, address).
Status of alarm system at time of fire.
Ascertain if safety devices were present (smoke detectors, security bars, sprinklers, etc.)
List the existence of evidence observed that would tend to substantiate patterns of unique charring.
If multiple fires, describe each fire in detail.
Attempt to reference single/multiple fire(s) using points of reference within a structure, vehicle, or wildland area.
Establish if structure was locked/unlocked.
Determine point of entry (and if forcible entry was used).
Describe conditions (construction type, weather, etc.) that may have contributed to the fire.
Determine if any additional crimes were involved.
III. Statements
Obtain witness identification such as driver's license, employee ID card, check-cashing card, etc. (to determine that they are who they say they are).
Determine where witness(es) can be located for future interview.
Identify where the interview took place.
Identify when the interview took place (24-hour clock).
Identify how the interview took place (in person/by telephone).
Identify witnesses by last name throughout report.
Identify witnesses as to their involvement with fire. Use appropriate codes (owner, victim, occupant, witness).
Take down witnesses' statements exactly as they were given to you.
Make sure questioning is complete and thorough.
Suspect Statements:
Obtain identification from suspect (if not already known)
Identify where the interview/interrogation took place.
Identify when the interview/interrogation took place (24-hour clock).
Admonish suspects when pertinent, using an approved form (Don't do it by memory!)
Use an interpreter when necessary.
Write all information completely and thoroughly.
Prepare statements carefully and save your notes.
Have suspects sign key statements when possible.
IV. Documentation
Diagrams
Fire scene diagrams should be required in the event of a fatality or a serious burn that could result in death.
A diagram may be necessary at a complex or complicated fire scene.
A diagram may be necessary at a "high visibility" fire scene (celebrities, press release, ec.)
A diagram may be included at the discretion of the investigator or when a supervisor suggests that it would benefit the investigation.
Photographs
List number of photographs and attach the photographer's log sheet.
Evidence
List all items of evidence separately on the evidence report. Give location where items were recovered and attach the evidence log.
Give physical description of items of evidence.
Indicate the items to be analyzed, and where they are sent for analysis, in the evidence report. (Lab analysis reports, if completed, can be attached here).
Make your entries in the Evidence Room Log complete.
Make entries if any specialized forensic work is to be completed (prints, photos, blood, etc.).
V. Opinion
If the fire is considered criminal, a more concise opinion (based upon observations and evidence) and that brings all facts together, should be entered.
If an accidental fire, give the reason(s) why you have reached your conclusion.
If an undetermined fire, give reason(s) why you have reached your conclusion.
If a natural fire, give reason(s) for your conclusion.
VI. Attachments
List any information that may not have been appropriate under other headings.
List additional work to be completed.
List status of case and reasons for that determination.
List agencies/persons notified that are associated with your case.
Reference reports/records of other agencies and attach copies if appropriate.
List prior fire incidents involving the same address/people. Attach copies that are pertinent to your case.
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ESSENTIALS OF A GOOD REPORT
A. Reports should answer all questions concerning the incident as well as paint a picture.
B. Reports must be proofread.
1. Grammar
2. Punctuation
3. Spelling
C. The overall quality of the report influences the readers' impression of the investigation; therefore, readers must be able to focus on the facts in the case, not errors in the report.
D. Reports should not be "padded" to increase their length.
1. They need to contain the facts pertinent to the case.
2. Reports should not ramble on, but get to the point.
E. Reports must answer the basic questions about the fire and the investigation--who, what, where, when, why, and how.
1. Who?
a. Discovered the fire.
b. Extinguished the fire.
c. Provided scene security.
d. Has pertinent knowledge.
e. Was the victim.
f. Made the report.
g. Has a motive for the crime.
2. What?
a. Happened.
b. Actions were taken.
c. Was the damage.
d. Was the crime.
e. Do witnesses know.
f. Was done with the evidence.
g. Is the chain of custody of the evidence.
h. Agencies are involved.
3. Where?
a. Did the fire start.
b. Did the fire travel.
c. Was the witness.
d. Were the owners/occupants.
e. Was the evidence collected.
f. Is the evidence stored.
g. Was the crime committed.
4. When?
a. Was the fire first discovered.
b. Was it reported.
c. Was the investigation conducted.
d. Were the interviews conducted.
5. Why?
a. Did the witnesses make statements.
b. Were the witnesses reluctant to talk.
c. Was the crime committed.
6. How?
a. Was the fire discovered.
b. Did the fire start.
c. Was the evidence collected.
d. Was the evidence secured.
e. Did the suspect arrive.
f. Did the suspect leave.
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WRITING THE REPORT
A. Preparation is the first step in writing any document.
1. All necessary information must be collected and compiled before the report can be written.
2. Material must be arranged in a systematic order.
3. Material not pertinent to the case should be discarded.
4. The use of an outline assists the investigator in ensuring his/her report is in chronological order.
B. The final investigative report will be read by peers, supervisors, the public, and colleagues.
1. Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation are essential.
a. Misspelling and improper grammar can give the entire investigation a sloppy appearance.
b. Each document needs to be proofread for completeness and accuracy.
2. Use the first person.
a. "I arrived at the scene..."
b. "I observed..."
3. Avoid second or third person.
a. "This investigator..."
b. "This officer observed..."
4. Determine the target audience and write the report for that audience. Remember, the person reading the report may know nothing about fire investigation.
5. Avoid terminology that only fire investigators understand.
a. If you do use terminology that is known only to experts, then be sure to explain the terms, for example:
- "V patterns." Explain that these patterns point toward the area of origin.
- "Liquid accelerant pour patterns." Explain that you found a pattern which is typical of the use of accelerants.
b. Avoid terminology that cannot be explained.
- It "smelled like Benzene." (This is a hard odor to describe.)
6. Use a writing style that is simple and to the point.
7. Keep your paragraphs short. Long paragraphs tend to turn off most readers.
8. Write the way you talk. Your written communication should reflect your oral communication.
9. Reports should contain only material and information pertinent to the investigation.
10. Personal opinions, conclusions, and suspicions should be eliminated.
11. However, the expert opinion of a qualified investigator based on the evidence found should be included in the report.
12. Reports are statements of fact and observations discovered by the investigator, written in an objective, factual manner.
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SAMPLE REPORT
UNKNOWN CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
CASE NUMBER: #123456
DATE: 4/18/00
Summary of Incident
On April 18, 2000, Investigators Smith and Brown responded to 123 East 1st Street, incident #12, at the request of Chief Jones. The dispatch time was 1200 hours, arrival at the scene was 1230 hours. Investigators observed a wood-frame construction, single-story, one-family residence. The investigation revealed that the fire had originated in the bathroom adjacent to the bathtub. The indicators observed and the evidence taken and analyzed revealed the fire was started by the distribution of a flammable accelerant (gasoline) and ignited by an open flame (lighter). A suspect was identified by two witnesses (W-1 and W-2). The suspect was seen breaking into the house, distributing a liquid, and setting the fire with a lighter. Both witnesses (W-1 and W-2) identified the suspect (S-1) by name and identified him in a photo lineup. The motive for the fire was spite/revenge. The suspect (S-1) had been evicted on April 17, 2000.
Laboratory Analysis
Taken into evidence was a gasoline can, lighter, and crow bar. Fingerprints were taken from all three exhibits and identified the suspect (S-1) as the person handling each item. Furthermore, a gas station manager (W-3) identified the suspect (S-1) filling a container similar to the one taken into evidence. Laboratory analysis revealed that the flammable liquid was gasoline and had the same octane rating as described by the gas station manager (W-3).
Witnesses
W-1 John A. Smith, 345 E. 2nd St. Fun City, MA 00000, 300/111-2222. DOB 1-1-11, Occupation - Lawyer.
W-2 John A. Doe, 444 E. 3rd St. Sun City, MA 0000, 300/222-3333. DOB 2-2-22, Occupation - Doctor
W-3 James A. Smith, 555 W. 4th St. Moon City, MA 00000, 300/444-5555, DOB 3-3-33, Occupation - Gas station manager
Statements Made by Witnesses
Witnesses 1 and 2 both identified suspect entering house, distributing liquid, and setting the fire.
Witness 3 can identify the suspect purchasing and filling container with regular gasoline, octane rating of 87.
Statement Made by Suspect
No statement made, suspect taken into custody and Miranda warning given immediately on April 19, 2000 at 1200 hours.
Statutes Violated
MA Penal Code 111222: Deliberately setting fire to a dwelling of another. Bail/Fine $5,000.
MA Penal Code 1234: Unlawful entry - burglary. Bail/Fine $5,000
MA Penal Code 45678: Distribution of a flammable liquid in setting an incendiary fire. Bail/Fine $10,000.
Total Bail/Fine $18,500
The Unknown Fire Department doesn't recommend the suspect be released. (O.R. Release)…
Added by CHIEF NORMAN at 2:16pm on October 20, 2010
that includes several stands of eucalyptus trees as well as coastal sage and brush, some with 100 years of dead fuel. I live and work in a tinderbox...
Everyone has an opinion as to what will burn and how intense. I have had this discussion with numerous property owners and other fire departments and this is what I have shared n the past...
You simply cannot make a knee jerk reaction and start ripping out every tree in site. This is an overkill. After the Paint Fire, I had the opportunity when I was an arson investigator / inspector to drive a CDF Battalion Chief around the fire to assist him on researching why some homes burned and others didn't.
What I remembered from his teachings...
1. You don't want any ornamental vegetation against the house or your cars. Juniper bushes for example put off the same amount of BTU's as gasoline. I remember this one guy who refused to evacuate and waited to the last minute. When he went to get into his car, he suffered major burns on both hands from trying to get into the car to drive away. There was a burning juniper bush adjacent to his car and the radiant heat alone was a killer.
2. Houses need to have all the eves boxed in and rat stops placed under the tiles for tile roofs. Exposed rat or bird nests facilitated fire to easily communicate with the interior of the structure and the house was lost, with the tile roof intact, sitting on top of a burning heap...
3. Double paned glass windows with NO light drapes or curtains against the window. Those cute curtains easily catch fire if it gets hot enough, even through the windows.
4. Wood sided houses or houses with shake roofs are a write off unless they are a historical structure or you have enough defensible space to make a difference.
California a year ago decided that the minimum clearance distance for down to mineral earth was at least 30-feet and out to 100-feet you thin trees, limb up tree limbs from becoming part of a ladder fuel process where grass goes to bushes and bushes to trees... Clear out dead fuel, and create a break will help provide enhanced defensible space. You should note that there is serious talk now about increasing this distance to 300-feet.
Now couple the house on the ridge line and allow for flame height and intensity and you end up being very conservative when reviewing a property owners hazards. There currently is no formula for how far a house should be set back off a ridge line. What we see typically are pole houses or others construction types that cluster homes on what used to be never considered for a residential area. The term wildland urban interface accurately describes my backyard.
I think tree's are an important factor but unless you are living in a pine forest, we don't have to worry about crown fires as much as they do in the Northwest. The fires in San Diego that are prompting this kill all the trees movement was a result of all the factors coming together and nothing could have stopped it. Fuel, topography, temperature, lows here and highs there made a perfect storm that resulted in an intense fire season for us.
Even homes that were no where near a grove of trees were lost. Sometimes there is only so much we can do...
If people follow the basic hazard reduction / weed abatement guidelines, they have a great chance of saving there homes. The responsibility rest s completely on the shoulders of the property owners.
TCSS, Mike from Santa Barbara
mschlags@yahoo.com…
nd actually racked up a ton of points only because I had surgery from an injury that occurred while fighing a wildland fire earlier this year. I think I would have gone nuts had I not had the ability to get to know folks and share things on the FFN. Sure has been fun learning how to blog and post photos and videos. To be honest, I have to give thanks to my daughters who were a lot more computer savy than I was...
Now, I'm back to work in a light duty position and still find myself checking out the FFN daily. I have made friends all over the world throug the FFN and for that alone I am very grateful. Having been involved in this career since 1973, and working my way through the ranks, the one thing that has always kept me motivated is teaching and sharing information. If you do this consistently on the FFN, you end up racking a ton of points. Not everyone has the resources and training that some of us have and as a result, I feel it a personal responsibility to help other out who don't have these resources, hence my posts and blogs...
I personnally don't have much time for some of the sillyness you see on the word game posts and other mindless rantings that don't really do much to further our education and knowledge base. When I post discussions, many times it's a result of my needing specific information on something. Why go through a learning curve when you have so many folks out there with more expertice than I do in some things. It's the networking and personal relationships through the FFN that makes all of this so worthwhile. If you approach this right, the FFN can be an invaluable tool for you.
After the one new top Guru was posted, I found it odd that this individual had only joined 900 plus groups, but had not real photos posted, only generic stuff... plus there were no videos, blog disussion posts, photos, nada... I wrote Webmaster Dave and asked what was up and was told that the individual simply used the system to gain points... no secrets, no hidden agendas, just the basics...
So, if you want to be number one, simply join all the groups... But I challenge all of you to seek the best in yourself and your department's, challenge yourself and actually create meaningful / purposeful discussions, not silly little snipets asking things that no one really cares about to begin with... Posts now pretty much come and go, with only five discussions viewed on the main page now. One has to remember this, and click on the more detailed discussion logs to select what is something cool to read and get involved with.
If you have an expertice in a subject, you need to share your experience and knowledge base with others. I think that often times, many folks who participate on the FFN forget that this is an international forum.
When we start talking about Orbs and Ghosts, a reasonable person would ask, "WTF?". Keep in mind that not everyone is from the USA, and have a much different mind set than we are used to. I hope we all continue to attempt to raise the bar in regard to subject matter and the FFN post content.
2009 is one day away... I truly look forward to continuing to learn and share things with all of you. We are a family for those who actually get to do this gig. And for those who aspire to get a badge and serve the public, don't stop. Like Joe Dirt said, "you've got to keep on keeping on!"
TCSS,
Mike from Santa Barbara…
e firefighting company, authorities said.
Searchers in Tooele County search the site of a plane crash, Saturday, April 25, 2009 in Tooele, Utah. A converted twin-engine military plane crashed in heavy fog in the Oquirrh mountains, killing three people, the Tooele County sheriff said Saturday. (AP Photo/The Salt Lake Tribune, Chris Detrick)
Members of the Tooele County Shereff's Office and Search and Rescue personnel, examine the wreckage of a plane crash near Stockton, Utah, Saturday, April 25, 2009. A converted twin-engine military plane crashed in heavy fog in the Oquirrh mountains, killing three people, the Tooele County sheriff said Saturday. (AP Photo/Deseret News, Keith Johnson)
Tooele County Sheriff Frank Park said the plane was en route from Missoula, Mont., to Alamogordo, N.M., when it failed to clear a pass in the Oquirrh Mountains.
The crew members for Missoula-based Neptune Aviation were bound for southern New Mexico to help fight a nearly 30-square-mile wildfire, said Dan Ware, a spokesman for the New Mexico Forestry Division.
"While we must pause to mourn their loss, within the wildland community we must also honor them by continuing to fight fires to protect our communities," state forester Arthur Blazer said.
The wildfire, which was 20 percent contained, was threatening a home and several outbuildings and a power distribution line, officials said.
The sheriff identified the pilot as Tom Risk, 66, of Littleton, Colo., and the crew members as Mike Flynn, 59, of Alamogordo, N. M., and Brian Buss, 32, of Alberton, Mont.
Neptune's ground safety and security coordinator, Miek Pfau, said he could confirm only that the company lost an aircraft.
The wreckage of the plane, a twin-propeller P2V Neptune with a 100-foot wing span, was located near Stockton Pass, spread out over about 100 yards, Park said.
Search and rescue crews reached the steep, rugged site on foot and all-terrain vehicles to recover the bodies. They were turned over to the state medical examiner, he said.
Investigators with the Federal Aviation Administration were at the crash site Saturday, and officials with the National Transportation Safety Board planned to arrive Sunday, the sheriff said.
Park said the Neptune, a plane developed during the Korean war that is commonly used to fight wildfires, had been equipped for dropping fire retardant.
He said visibility was only 100 feet when the plane failed to clear Stockton Pass. It missed the pass by an eighth of a mile and slammed into a mountain instead, but should have been flying higher, he said.
The plane was being tracked by the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, which lost track of it before the pilot could report any trouble or issue a distress signal, the sheriff said.
___
Associated Press writer Heather Clark in Albuquerque contributed to this report.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.…