Alarm Investigations

Alarm investigation is the use of various alarmsat fires where rescuers weren't given a chance to
that a private detective alone would have accessfind them quickly because of PASS alarm failure.
to. The alarms can be set up to not alert the"Tests by federal and independent labs show that
criminal but just the person for instance thesome PASS alarms can fail to perform as
detective who is watching the place where alarmintended if they get too hot or wet -- a serious
is located. Also some alarm systems are notproblem for people who rush into burning buildings
effective as they should be. An investigator canwith water hoses. And federal investigative
help you get the best one for your situation.reports reviewed by show that 15 firefighters
With alarm investigations a qualified detectivehave died since 1998 in fires where a PASS, or
agency will provide you the answers you need toPersonal Alert Safety System, either didn't sound
move ahead and make well informed decisions.or was so quiet that rescuers weren't given a
Finding the right agency is vital. Contacting anchance to find the firefighter quickly."
unknown local agency is rolling the dice. MostThe second part of the report looks into the
major detective networks have qualified referralfunction of CDC's NIOSH's Fire Fighter Fatality
services. They are experts in the field and knowInvestigation and Prevention Program and their
who to contact. Look to the well known detectiveinvestigation of firefighter found that the CDC
networks to find the experts in accidentdelays sending private detectives to the scene of
investigations. It could save legal problems downfirefighter fatalities. Although its investigation
the road.manual calls for a site visit within three weeks,
MSNBC published yesterday and today a two-partthe typical or median delay is actually 33 days,
insurance investigation report covering whataccording to investigative reports studied by The
reporter Bill Dedman turned up after looking intolongest delay was 266 days, or just about nine
claims that in recent years, firefighters have diedmonths.