Quick Notes is an ICAC communication that will give you quick, timely links to recent news items impacting arson prevention, investigations, litigation and training.  We trust that Quick Notes will be an easy way for you to remain current in news concerning arson control.

Improving Arson Investigations

The Savannah Fire Department has boosted the power of its Arson Investigation unit by making it a self-contained law enforcement agency.  It's a change in the administration of the unit that you may not see on the streets - but it will make a big difference in their ability to investigate arson cases quickly and efficiently.

ATF Bomb Arson Tracking Endorsed by Associations

The bomb arson tracking system (BATS) employed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has been endorsed by the International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc. (IAAI) and the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators (IABTI) to document and report arson and explosives-related incidents.

Insurance Fraud Rises in Midst of Bad Times

The sour economy is producing a bumper crop of cash-strapped consumers, business owners and shady agents who are fueling a wave of insurance fraud that's keeping regulators and law enforcement officials busy from coast to coast.

Refusal To Testify based on Fifth Amendment breaches Cooperation Clause

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals recently decided that an insured who invoked his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination at trial and refused to provide pertinent information to his insurer violated his policy's cooperation clause and was not entitled to coverage (medical malpractice case).

Research Study on Law Enforcement issues and Juvenile Fire Setting

A research study that addresses law enforcement issues that directly affect juvenile fire-setting identification and intervention programs.

Winter Residential Building Fires

These topical reports explore facets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in the U.S. Fire Administration in its NFIRS system. Each topical report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information. Also included are recent examples of fire incidents that demonstrate issues addressed in the report or put the report topic in context.

Population & Building Factors - impact on residential fire rates

The purpose of this explanatory research is to evaluate the impacts of population and building characteristics on the residential fire rates among large cities in the continental U.S. This study used existing aggregated data from 69 U.S cities in the continental U.S to explain the effect of population and building factors on cities' residential fire rates. Overall findings indicate that two building characteristics - vacancy rate and building age - significantly influence residential fire rates.

Fire-the unforgiving nature

A segment from State Farm Insurance's "Fire: The Unforgiving Nature." The video discusses the dangers of arc faults in old or damaged wiring.