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Chief introduces policy to arm trained fire investigators for scene safety
Summary
The fire chief introduced an initial proposal allowing fire investigators to carry firearms and receive police-style training in limited circumstances to protect personnel at remote or hazardous scenes; the item is introductory and will require further legal and policy review.
The Fire Chief presented an introductory policy for the fire marshal's investigative staff that would permit investigators to carry firearms and receive law-enforcement-style training to protect personnel working alone in remote or hazardous scenes. "These are all the departments in the county that that carry firearms while they're doing their, investigations," he said as background and described required safety steps such as lockboxes, vehicle gun safety, office security and ballistic vests.
Speakers raised questions about legal authority and limits; staff noted the local code does not automatically grant police powers to fire investigators in this jurisdiction and cautioned the policy should not transform investigators into full criminal investigators (arrest or warrant authority). The chief and staff said the proposal is for discussion and will return with more detail on training, equipment costs and legal constraints before any adoption.
