Request for Information or Advice

[Cat]

I am hoping someone might be able to help me.  I know there is a similar thread in this area (Career advice gratefully received by Groendraak) but my situation is slightly different.  I graduated University with a Forensic Chemistry degree having specialised in Fire and Explosion Investigation in my final year (namely an optional unit and my dissertation).  I am also a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators with my aim to get my name out and hopefully learn something new with the training.  Having attended one of these meetings recently I am in the process of trying to shadow Manchesters Fire Investigation Team.  That is likely to be at the beginning of next year.

My problem however is that I have no hands on experience of any kind and this has been the general concensus of the companies I have contacted.  For many years I have wanted to join the FS as a w/time Ff and this has given me an ideal reason as most Fire Investigation Companies seem to employ ex-fire service personel (I know I'm generalising).  If I can get into the FS, this will give me the experience I need however I know there are no guarantees with this and was wondering if there are any other ways I could get into this area or any general advice should getting into the FS not work out.

I know one suggestion for Groendraak was to apply for forensic positions with police forces however the same comments have come back, I don't have crime scene experience so these applications have also been unsuccessful.  I seem to be unable to get the job to get the experience and I can't get the experience to the get the job.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

[John Webb]

It's possible my old stamping grounds at BRE Ltd. may be one way http://www.bre.co.uk their fire safety side (previously known as the Fire Research Station) does a wide range of things including fire investigation and other fire consultancy work. Other fire consultancies may also be worth trying.

[kurnal]

Cat theres a couple of points I would make.

Fire service operational experience is fantastic but not essential. You would see a few fires but may have little opportunity to hone your investigation skills.
You must already have some considerable skills to offer to a fire consultancy and could probably slot into the existing teams- people such as Gardner Associates, offering your existing expertise and gaining experience in return. Not many ex firefighters could offer a degree in forensic chemistry. Thats a terrific edge.

On the other hand you could perhaps also consider work for the HSE in their laboratories at Buxton (BASEEFA).  They seem to have a lot of fun creating big bangs and investigating industrial accidents.

[wee brian]

BRE were recruiting recently so it's worth a look.

I'm sure most of the people I've bumped into from Burgoynes arent ex fire service.

[Cat]

Thank you everyone for your information and advice, its very much appreciated.  I've just had a look at the BRE website this morning and am definitely going to keep checking there now.  With regards to Burgoynes, they were one company I had previously contacted and as soon as the person I spoke to heard the term 'Forensics', the conversation ended very quickly, they said that, "they wouldn't take on graduates with these new forensic degrees", which I think is a shame as my degree was predominantly chemistry.  I may try and contact them again and see if speaking to someone else might work, its worth a try.

kurnal:  I take note of your points about joining the Fire Service.  I will have a look at Gardiner associates as I haven't heard of them before and definitly HSE.  I actually did a unit on Health and Safety including doing risk assesments (not fire focussed) and funnily enough Pt 2 was on mainly safety in relation to fire and explosions!!!  I know I can offer a lot, its just being in the right place at the right time.  I must admit I did enjoy creating big bangs in my final year experiments.

At least I have some food for thought now.  Thank you once again for all your help.

[Midland Retty]

Hi Cat

Only just read your posting.

I've heard on the grape vine that our brigade may be looking to employ fire investigators without any operational firefighting experience in the very near future. It makes me wonder if other brigades will follow suite.

It's certainly worth keeping your ear to the ground - if I hear anything further on that I'll let you know.

As many have pointed out already previous firefighting experience does not necessarily have to be a pre-requisite for the job, and your qualifications can only put you at an advantage over a serving fire officer who wishess to transfer into a fire investigation dept.

[Cat]

Hi MR,

Thanks for that, I appreciate it and any further info you might be able to get to me.  I'll keep an eye out on Staffordshires website and see if any vacancies are advertised anyway.  I too had heard some comments at the beginning of the year regarding fire services and their investigation teams and how some were looking at doing what you have described.  Only thing was I didn't know which fire services and as I hadn't seen anything further I didn't know if it was just rumours.

Besides having wanting to be a firefighter for a while now I thought it would give me an added third dimension of understanding fires i.e complimenting my degree.  I must admit at the moment sometimes I wish having a degree felt like an advantage

[AM]

Cat,

I work for a consultancy and we've taken on a graduate before with a forensic degree and who specialised in fire, and it worked well, and as part of their professional development did a masters in fire engineering. PM me and I can put you in touch with someone who may be able to help.

[Cat]

Hi AM,

Thank you for your help.  I have tried to e-mail you but when I try and send it, it keeps telling me that the connection has been refused and that I can't e-mail you?  If you could possibly e-mail me first, maybe I could reply to you that way.

Sorry about this, I have tried today.

[AM]

I can't send one either. i've changed the privacy settings so my address should be visible on my profile now