I have been in public safety for 13 years now and have always seen a divide between police and fire. We work together at so many scenes yet never seem to connect. As both services evolve, we also need to evolve. This divide has been created by decades of competition and inflated egos. I have seen both side of the coin as a firefighter and then as a police officer, so I understand the divide. By not working together, we may miss crucial information that can lead to solving crimes or extinguishing a fire faster.
As an arson investigator, I am forced to work with the fire department's fire investigators. I enjoy it though. I take a proactive approach to the investigation because the sooner I can get to a scene and see the fire in progress, the more effective my investigation is. If no crime is presumably committed and no fatality occurs, then I assist the fire department with their investigation, which only enhances my skills. On the flip side of the coin, I have responded to fires before the arrival of the fire department and provided them with important information on the location of the fire, whether or not everyone is out of the building, and possible hazards or the best location to make entry. Not every police officer has experience as a firefighter, but any bit of information can help.
The point is, things are changing. If we work together and each side does their part, then we can all be more effective. A firefighter may have important information regarding a possible offender leaving the scene, but no officer thinks to ask, "Did you see anything?" I am not saying all fire departments and all police department do not have a good working relationship, but it is prevalent, usually in bigger cities. In the end, we all do the same job, protect people and property. Maybe one day we can all work together for the greater good.
