The U.S. Fire Administration's Arson Awareness Week theme for 2020 is First Responders: Fire Investigations, Arson Laws and You!, highlights the crucial role that firefighters can play in a successful fire investigation. Firefighters are not just first responders to the fire, but to the fire investigation as well.
Firefighters are the eyes and ears of the professionals who investigate fires. As with any structure, the foundation is the most important part and firefighters lay the foundation for the scene examination. What they saw when they first responded to the fire, what suppression tactics they used, and what they observed after the fire, can all be useful clues for fire investigators. It is important for firefighters to understand that overhaul can affect the forensic fire scene examination. Delaying overhaul whenever possible until the fire investigators arrive on scene is helpful. Read the full 2020 Arson Awareness Week press release from the State Fire Marshal.
Neighborhood Arson Prevention Strategies
Neighborhood and crime watch groups can help prevent arson. Below are links to our Arson and Fire Prevention: Neighborhood Strategies pamphlet in English and Spanish.
Arson Watch Reward Program - 1-800-682-9229
The Arson Watch Reward Program is sponsored by the property and casualty insurance underwriting companies in Massachusetts. The program will pay UP TO $5,000 to anyone who provides information that helps us prevent or detect an arson crime.
Anyone can call the Arson Hotline, confidentially, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, with information that can help prevent or solve a fire.