§ 98-17. Investigation of fires.

A. 

The Fire Chief shall investigate, or cause to be investigated, the origin, cause, and circumstances of each fire occurring in the City by which property has been destroyed or damaged and, so far as possible, shall determine whether the fire occurred as a result of carelessness or design. Such investigations shall be begun immediately upon the occurrence of a fire by the officer-in-charge of the incident, who shall notify of the appropriate fire investigator. If it appears to the officer-in-charge or to the fire investigator that such fire is of suspicious origin and cause, the Fire Chief shall be immediately notified of the facts, and the officer-in-charge shall immediately take control of the physical evidence and notify the proper authorities designated by law to pursue the investigation of such matters. The officer-in-charge shall further cooperate with the authorities in the collection of evidence and in the prosecution of the case, and shall preserve evidence at the scene and not relinquish legal control of the fire ground until authorized to do so by the Fire Chief.

B. 

Only those individuals with an appropriate valid New York State Fire Investigator Level II certification shall serve as fire investigators for the Lockport Fire Department. The Board of Fire Commissioners shall approve and authorize an official listing of these individuals.

C. 

Corporation Counsel, at the request of the Fire Chief, shall assist in the investigation of any fire that is of suspicious origin.

D. 

The Fire Chief shall keep a record of all fires and of all facts concerning them, including statistical information. Such record shall be made from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) information as recorded by the officer-in-charge. All such records shall be public information unless otherwise prohibited by law.