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Fire department says rise in 'investigated' fires reflects changed investigation thresholds, not necessarily more fires
Summary
The fire department reported an increase in investigated fires for Q2 2024 but attributed the rise to updated investigation criteria and training; containment and occupancy preservation metrics remain high, and the department reported a regional task force response to repeated porta‑potty fires.
Fire officials reported the Q2 2024 Fire Save vs. Loss report to the committee and explained why investigated‑fire counts have risen.
Fire Marshal Rich Gieske said the department saw an increase in the number of fires classified as "investigated" and that, by the end of Q2, the total matched all of 2023. "We're thinking the majority of that is because we've done an increased emphasis in training our company officers on the criteria by which we want to be doing investigative fires," he said, adding that smaller incidents are often handled by engine company officers while larger, more complex incidents go to the fire investigation team.
Gieske told the committee performance measures remain strong: containment to the room or object of origin is above 94%, continued occupancy of space is above 99%, and the total value saved over five years remains above 99%. Council members urged careful public framing so residents do not interpret the data as an increase in total fires; Council Member Stewart said public reports should emphasize the change in investigation practice rather than implying more incidents. Gieske also described a recent regional response with police to repeated porta‑potty fires and said a task force has coincided with fewer such incidents.
The committee asked staff to consider framing guidance for public communications and to continue regular reporting.
