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The primary purpose of the Fire Investigations Division is to determine the
origin and cause of fires. The data collected during a fire investigation
is of great significance since it can expose a serious crime like arson. It
also provides valuable statistics on fire trends and experience – information
essential in developing programs to reduce fire risk in the future.
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The Clark County Fire Department Investigations Division was founded in 1963
under the management of the Fire Prevention Division. At first, fire inspectors
were assigned to investigative duties. As the community grew, however, so did
the demand for trained investigators.
Today the division employs six full time investigators. All investigators are commissioned peace officers with
weapons qualification. The investigators have arrest authority and are trained
not only in fire investigation techniques but also in evidence collection,
interviewing, fraud investigation, and other aspects of criminal investigation.
They are subpoenaed to court on a regular basis to render expert opinions in
both civil and criminal actions.
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The investigators work a 24-hour, 3-Platoon schedule which means that they are
available for dispatch at all times. The investigation division works closely
with federal, state, and local agencies.
Due to the immense need for fire/arson investigation services, the State Fire
Marshal's Office has adopted an investigation protocol as a guide for
allocation of resources. At the top of the protocol are fires that are
catastrophic in nature - fires that have resulted in death, significant
property damage or pose a serious threat to public health and safety. The
protocol also identifies fires where the fire is believed to be the work of an
arsonist, related to hate crime, or where the operation of vital public
institution is compromised.
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