On Finding the Origin and Cause of Fires...

This week we are posting the early history of what is now called the Marin County Fire Investigation Team. The Team is a group within the Marin County Fire Prevention Officers, still operating with the same general value that it was originally started with - that of helping each other out with fire investigations, through pooled resources and expertise.

Fire Investigation as a specialty area and profession dates back to 1949, when the International Association of Arson Investigators was formed in Kentucky. The California Conference of Arson Investigators was formed in 1954, and is now Chapter 21 of the International Association. Marin County's size did not warrant full-time positions, but an unusual partnership was formed with most of the fire departments and law enforcement starting in the 1960's. 

Read about the history and evolution of this joint effort on the Fire Prevention Officers sub-page for the team. Thanks to Author and one of the early members, retired Larkspur Chief William "Bill" Lellis.

Go To Fire Investigation Team History Page

Larkspur Captains Bill Lelis on the left, and Craig Shurtz investigate a fire at the Chinese Kitchen in the 1960's. Both would later serve and retire as Fire Chief of Larkspur FD.