Zippy39

Credit to Christian Clinch via policecarwebsite.net
 
 

Credit to Christian Clinch via policecarwebsite.net
 
 

In NYS, the fire chief is responsible for determining and reporting the cause of the fire, therefore sometimes they can determine it themselves without a C&O response. I believe they get basic C&O training as part of their command classes. In Westchester, once the C&O teams were formed around 20+ years ago, their use increased over time like any other resource. If my memory serves me correctly, prior to that, the DA's office had one investigator who did the C&O work, obviously he couldn't be at every fire.
 
As for lights and sirens, I was a PD Detective for 18+ years, I never responded to a scene that already had cops at it (i.e., a past burglary, robbery, homicide) with lights and sirens. There is no need for it on a scene where the active crime is over and the scene is being held down. In my last few years when I was actively investigating fires, I often went out upon the initial call so as to get there early for the reasons stated above. In that case I would use lights and sirens.  If I was showing up after the fire was knocked down, I didn't.

In NYS, the fire chief is responsible for determining and reporting the cause of the fire, therefore sometimes they can determine it themselves without a C&O response. I believe they get basic C&O training as part of their command classes. In Westchester, once the C&O teams were formed around 20+ years ago, their use increased over time like any other resource. If my memory serves me correctly, prior to that, the DA's office had one investigator who did the C&O work, obviously he couldn't be at every fire.
 
As for lights and sirens, I was a PD Detective for 18+ years, I never responded to a scene that already had cops at it (i.e., a past burglary, robbery, homicide) with lights and sirens. There is no need for it on a scene where the active crime is over and the scene is being held down. In my last few years when I was actively investigating fires, I often went out upon the initial call so as to get there early for the reasons stated above. In that case I would use lights and sirens.  If I was showing up after the fire was knocked down, I didn't.

In NYS, the fire chief is responsible for determining and reporting the cause of the fire, therefore sometimes they can determine it themselves without a C&O response. I believe they get basic C&O training as part of their command classes. In Westchester, once the C&O teams were formed around 20+ years ago, their use increased over time like any other resource. If my memory serves me correctly, prior to that, the DA's office had one investigator who did the C&O work, obviously he couldn't be at every fire.
 
As for lights and sirens, I was a PD Detective for 18+ years, I never responded to a scene that already had cops at it (i.e., a past burglary, robbery, homicide) with lights and sirens. There is no need for it on a scene where the active crime is over and the scene is being held down. In my last few years when I was actively investigating fires, I often went out upon the initial call so as to get there early for the reasons stated above. In that case I would use lights and sirens.  If I was showing up after the fire was knocked down, I didn't.

In NYS, the fire chief is responsible for determining and reporting the cause of the fire, therefore sometimes they can determine it themselves without a C&O response. I believe they get basic C&O training as part of their command classes. In Westchester, once the C&O teams were formed around 20+ years ago, their use increased over time like any other resource. If my memory serves me correctly, prior to that, the DA's office had one investigator who did the C&O work, obviously he couldn't be at every fire.
 
As for lights and sirens, I was a PD Detective for 18+ years, I never responded to a scene that already had cops at it (i.e., a past burglary, robbery, homicide) with lights and sirens. There is no need for it on a scene where the active crime is over and the scene is being held down. In my last few years when I was actively investigating fires, I often went out upon the initial call so as to get there early for the reasons stated above. In that case I would use lights and sirens.  If I was showing up after the fire was knocked down, I didn't.

In NYS, the fire chief is responsible for determining and reporting the cause of the fire, therefore sometimes they can determine it themselves without a C&O response. I believe they get basic C&O training as part of their command classes. In Westchester, once the C&O teams were formed around 20+ years ago, their use increased over time like any other resource. If my memory serves me correctly, prior to that, the DA's office had one investigator who did the C&O work, obviously he couldn't be at every fire.
 
As for lights and sirens, I was a PD Detective for 18+ years, I never responded to a scene that already had cops at it (i.e., a past burglary, robbery, homicide) with lights and sirens. There is no need for it on a scene where the active crime is over and the scene is being held down. In my last few years when I was actively investigating fires, I often went out upon the initial call so as to get there early for the reasons stated above. In that case I would use lights and sirens.  If I was showing up after the fire was knocked down, I didn't.

Great article. I'm surprised it hasn't generated more comments here. Cops suffered from a similar syndrome for years. Even after Columbine we were told to wait for 4 cops to be there before going in. Do you know how long it could take for 4 cops to get to a scene in the suburbs? Suffice it to say it'll all be over before they get there. The theory now (or at least when I retired) was that the first guy there goes in and tries to neutralize the bad guy. Novel idea, eh. Good guy with gun, body armor, etc goes after the bad guy, just like we swore an oath to do. Not to say someone is going to be reckless but standing around waiting while people are dying is crazy.