Which division is tasked with determining why a fire started and how it spread?

• A. Fire Inspection Division
• B. Emergency Communication Technology Division
• C. Fire Investigation Division
• D. Community Risk Reduction Division

Answer: (C)

Understanding how a fire started and how it spread requires analyzing the scene to identify the origin and ignition source, and to interpret burn patterns and evidence that reveal the fire’s progression. The Fire Investigation Division specializes in conducting these analyses, collecting physical evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reconstructing the fire’s development to determine both the ignition source and the path the fire took. This work is separate from inspecting for code compliance (Fire Inspection Division), managing emergency communications systems (Emergency Communication Technology Division), or leading prevention and risk-reduction efforts (Community Risk Reduction Division). So, the division responsible for determining why a fire started and how it spread is the Fire Investigation Division.