Fire Investigation Unit

As the population of the town of East Fishkill started growing, so did the number of homes in the area, as well as the rest of Dutchess County.  With the increase of homes, there became an increase of fires, putting a greater strain on the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Unit.  In 1989, we started to recognize the strain that was being placed on the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Unit and formed our own unit.  In order to do this, our members went through a tremendous amount of schooling to become qualified investigators.  This specialized Unit responds to fires with the fire department.  They obtain information from witnesses and firefighters about the fire.  When the fire has been extinguished, they carefully examine the burned remains for clues about the origin and cause of the fire.  If the Unit determines the fire was intentionally set, they work with police to document and process evidence.  If a fire goes to either civil or criminal court the investigators may be be required to testify at the trial.  This Unit consists of a van with all the necessary equipment to do the professional job that they do.