Part of the mandate of the OFM is to assist the local police in identifying a purposely-set fire and to support the local police in carrying out significant criminal investigations. The successful prosecution of a criminal charge by the police is dependent on the integrity and continuity of possession of the evidence found at the scene. It is therefore necessary that the security of the scene be maintained prior to the arrival of an OFM or police investigator.
For those occurrences requiring an OFM response which are deferred to the next normal working period, the EMO Duty Officer will inform the caller that all steps should be taken to secure the scene and that the OFM will be notified of the request at 07:30 hrs. the following morning.