ARSON ROUNDUP - FIGHTING ARSON COAST-TO-COAST

• NCJ Number: 49940
• Journal: FIREHOUSE Volume: 4 Issue: 8 Dated: (AUGUST 1978) Pages: 33-35,38,39,52,54,56,57
• Author(s): C KARCHNER; C H PERCY; P E FISHER; G M HUGHES; L P STUART
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: Firehouse Magazine Associates
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS COLLECTION OF ARTICLES ON INCENDIARISM FOCUSES ON WAYS TO COMBAT ARSON THAT RANGE FROM WHAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT TO SUCCESSFUL GRASSROOTS ANTIARSON CAMPAIGNS.

Abstract

IN THE FIRST ARTICLE, SENATOR CHARLES PERCY OFFERS EVIDENCE OF THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ARSON AND THE URBAN CRISIS. BECAUSE ARSON FOR PROFIT IS A NATIONAL PHENOMENON, HE RECOMMENDS THAT A UNIFIED EFFORT BE LAUNCHED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING: THAT STATE-ADMINISTERED INSURANCE RISK POOLS KNOWN AS FAIR PLANS ADOPT PROCEDURES TO ELIMINATE OVERINSURING OF PROPERTIES; THAT FAIR PLAN UNDERWRITERS CONSIDER INFORMATION ON THE CHARACTER OF AN APPLICANT; AND THAT FAIR PLANS USE A 5-DAY CANCELLATION NOTICE. THE SECOND ARTICLE DESCRIBES A NATIONAL PROGRAM TO CONTROL ARSON. PROPER TRAINING AND EDUCATION ARE CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF NATIONAL EFFORTS. FIVE NEEDS EXIST IN THIS AREA: (1) THE INITIATION OF PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES TO DEVELOP USEFUL INFORMATION RESOURCES ON ARSON EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS; (2) THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FORMAL TASK ANALYSIS TO IDENTIFY SPECIFIC ARSON INFORMATION NEEDS; (3) THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS ENCOMPASSING ORIENTATION, THE SIZE OF THE ARSON PROBLEM, THE CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES BY REASON OR MOTIVE, THE INSPECTION OF ARSON SCENES, INTERVIEWING AND INTERROGATION, THE COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE, PROFESSIONAL LABORATORY ASSISTANCE, LEGAL ASPECTS, CASE PREPARATION AND COURTROOM MATTERS, ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, INSURANCE CONSIDERATIONS, AND WORKSHOPS AND CASE STUDIES; (4) THE DEVELOPMENT OF VISUAL AND OTHER MATERIALS FOR INSTRUCTION AND ORIENTATION; AND (5) THE INITIATION OF A PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAM. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL ARSON INFORMATION CENTER IS RECOMMENDED. PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW IN THE FORMATION OF AN ARSON SQUAD AND IN THE CREATION OF A FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE ARE DETAILED IN THE FINAL TWO ARTICLES. (DEP)