homes & building fires series: fire fire investigation … · the scdf fire investigation...
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Joint NFEC-GIA Fire Seminar 2011E
DU
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FIR
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Major Lim Beng HuiB.Eng (Civil)(Hons), M.Sc (FI)(Dist), CFEI, CFII (NAFI)
Commander | Fire Research and Scientific Unit | Fire Safety and Shelter Department
concurrent Commander | Fire Investigation Unit | Operations Department
Recent Trends in
Homes & Building Fires
&
The SCDF
Fire Investigation Report
SCOPE
- Fire Statistics (2006 – 2010)
- Common Fire Causes
-SCDF Fire Report and
Fire Investigation Report
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4702 47964973
5236
4600
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
FIRE STATISTICS
Year
No
. of
Fir
esTotal no. of Fires Responded to by SCDF
▲ 263 cases
▲ 5.3%
▲ 177 cases
▲ 3.7%
▲ 94 cases
▲ 2.0%
▼ 636 cases
▼ 12.1%
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• Decrease of 636 cases (12.1%) from
2009
• Lowest number since 2004
• Attributed to greater awareness on fire
safety and concerted public education
efforts
FIRE STATISTICS
Total no. of Fires Responded to by SCDF
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311 319 317331
309
152 152 158140
160
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Commercial Industrial
FIRE STATISTICS
Commercial & Industrial FiresN
o. of
Fir
es
Year
▲ 14 cases
▲ 4.4%▲ 8 cases
▲ 2.6% ▼ 22 cases
▼ 6.6%
▼ 2 cases
▼ 0.6%
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▲ 6 cases
▲ 4.0% ▼ 18 cases
▼ 11.4%
▲ 20 cases
▲ 14.3%
• 309 fires within commercial premises in
2010
- Decrease of 22 cases (331 in 2009)
- Lowest no. over the past 5 years
• 160 fires within industrial premises in
2010
- Increase of 20 cases (140 in 2009)
- Highest no. over the 5-year period
FIRE STATISTICS
Commercial & Industrial Fires
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2957
32133385
3549
3267
0
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1500
2000
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3000
3500
4000
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
FIRE STATISTICS
Residential FiresN
o. of
Fir
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Year
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▲ 164 cases
▲4.8%
▲ 256 cases
▲ 8.7%
▼ 282 cases
▼ 7.9%
▲ 172 cases
▲ 5.4%
• Make up the bulk of the reported fires
in Singapore
• 3267 fires within residential premises in
2010
- Decrease of 282 cases (3549 in 2009)
• First sign of a downward trend?
FIRE STATISTICS
Fires in Residential Premises
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Minor Moderate Extensive
2008 2009 2010
No
. of
Fir
es
Extent of Damage
FIRE STATISTICS
Fires in Commercial Premises
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• Most of the fires resulted in minor fire
damage
• This may be attributed to
- Effective fire protection systems
- Effective response by premises
- Good housekeeping measures
FIRE STATISTICS
Fires in Commercial Premises
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0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Minor Moderate Extensive
2008 2009 2010
No
. of
Fir
es
Extent of Damage
FIRE STATISTICS
Fires in Industrial Premises
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FIRE STATISTICS
• Most fires resulted in minor fire damage
• Larger proportion of fires which result
in moderate damage as compared to
fires within commercial premises
• May be attributed to the nature of work
in industrial premises
Fires in Industrial Premises
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Minor Moderate Extensive
2008 2009 2010
No
. of
Fir
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Extent of Damage
FIRE STATISTICS
Fires in Residential Premises
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• Over 97% of the fires resulted in only
minor fire damage
• This may be attributed to
- High fire safety standards
- Public spiritedness
- Swift emergency response
FIRE STATISTICS
Fires in Residential Premises
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6
12
15
18
16
0
2
0 0 00
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Injuries Fatalities
FIRE STATISTICS
Year
No
. o
f In
juri
es/F
ata
liti
es
Fire Injuries & Fatalities in
Commercial Fires
▲ 3 cases
▲ 6 cases
▼ 2 cases▲ 3 cases
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FIRE STATISTICS
• 2010 saw the 1st drop in the number of
persons sustaining injuries since 2006
• 16 persons sustained injuries during
fires last year
• No fatalities for the 3rd consecutive
year
Fire Injuries & Fatalities in
Commercial Fires
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6
16
28
12
27
12
0 0 00
5
10
15
20
25
30
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Injuries Fatalities
Fire Injuries & Fatalities in
Industrial Fires
FIRE STATISTICS
Year
No
. of
Inju
ries
/Fa
tali
ties
▲ 12 cases
▲ 10 cases
▼ 16 cases
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▲ 15 cases
FIRE STATISTICSFire Injuries & Fatalities in
Industrial Fires
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• 27 persons sustaining injuries in 2010
• Increase of 15 persons (12 persons
injured in 2009)
• No fatalities for the 3rd consecutive
year
66
50
73
83
95
1 0 0 0 00
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Injuries Fatalities
FIRE STATISTICS
Year
No
. o
f In
juri
es/F
ata
liti
es
Fire Injuries & Fatalities in
Residential Fires
▲ 23 cases
▲ 12 cases
▼ 16 cases
▲ 10 cases
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FIRE STATISTICS
• 95 persons sustained injuries during
fires last year
• Seemingly on a upward trend
• No fatalities for the 4th consecutive
year
Fire Injuries & Fatalities in
Residential Fires
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Dropped Light
Overheating of Food
Electrical Origin
Naked Light Incendiary Others
2007 2008 2009 2010
FIRE STATISTICS
Causes of Fires in Singapore
Causes
No
. of
Fir
es
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FIRE STATISTICS
Causes of Fires in Singapore
• „Dropped Light‟ is the No. 1 cause of
fires in Singapore
- Significant drop in „dropped light‟
fires in 2010
• „Overheating of Food‟ and fires of
„Electrical Origin‟ are the next 2 top
causes of firesED
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2008 2009 2010
FIRE STATISTICS
Causes
No
. of
Fir
esCauses of Fires in Commercial Premises
#1
#2#3
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FIRE STATISTICS
Causes of Fires in Commercial Premises
• „Electrical Origin‟ is the #1 cause
- Cause of 36% of all fires within
commercial premises from 2008 - 2010
• „Overheating of Food‟ ~ 15%
• „Dropped Light‟ ~ 14%
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2008 2009 2010
FIRE STATISTICS
Causes of Fires in Industrial PremisesN
o. of
Fir
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#1
#2
#3
Causes
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FIRE STATISTICS
Causes of Fires in Industrial Premises
• „Electrical Origin‟ is also the #1 cause
- Cause for approx. 26% of all fires
within industrial premises from
2008 - 2010
• „Dropped Light‟ ~ 18%
• „Overheating of Machinery‟ ~ 12%ED
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2008 2009 2010
FIRE STATISTICS
Causes
No
. of
Fir
esCauses of Fires in Residential Premises
#1
#2
#3
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FIRE STATISTICS
Causes of Fires in Residential Premises
• „Dropped light‟ is the #1 cause.
- Cause for approx. 52% of all fires
within residential premises from
2008 - 2010
• „Overheating of Food‟ ~ 15%
• „Electrical Origin‟ ~ 6%ED
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COMMON FIRE CAUSES
„Electrical Origin‟
„Dropped Light‟
„Overheating of Food‟
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COMMON FIRE CAUSES
• Ignition source arising from
the failure of an electrically-
energized component
ELECTRICAL ORIGIN
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COMMON FIRE CAUSES
Short Circuits
• Bypass the normal loading
• Low/negligible resistance
=> High current
• Overloading causes intense
local heating
• May ignite flammable
materials present
ELECTRICAL ORIGIN
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COMMON FIRE CAUSES
Insulation Failure
• Deteriorate with age;
degraded by heat/chemicals
• Exposed wires more prone
to damage and may ignite
nearby combustibles
• Excess current protection
devices may not prove
effective
ELECTRICAL ORIGIN
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COMMON FIRE CAUSES
Overloading
• Current exceeds full load
rated value
• Temperatures in conductors
will rise
• May ignite the conductors
or nearby combustibles
ELECTRICAL ORIGIN
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COMMON FIRE CAUSES
Local Resistances
• Arising from corroded
joints, poor/loose
connections
• Heat generated as a result
of high resistance
• May ignite combustibles
which are in contact
ELECTRICAL ORIGIN
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COMMON FIRE CAUSES
Improper Connections
• May lead to short circuits or
local resistance
• Heat generated as a result of
high resistance
• May ignite combustibles which
are in contact
ELECTRICAL ORIGIN
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ELECTRICAL ORIGIN
•Case in Tanglin Halt
Owner saw ceiling fan on fire
Fan fell and ignited the bed mattress
COMMON FIRE CAUSESE
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ELECTRICAL ORIGIN
•Case in Tanglin Halt
Improper connection of wires
Bangladeshi worker installed the fan
Not a Licensed Electrical Worker
(LEW)
Offence to knowingly engage non
LEWs under the Electricity Act
Chap. (89A) Sect (82)(1)
COMMON FIRE CAUSESE
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Fire Safety Tips
COMMON FIRE CAUSES
ELECTRICAL ORIGIN
Check:
Condition of wirings & electrical products
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Fire Safety Tips
COMMON FIRE CAUSES
ELECTRICAL ORIGIN
Check:
Overloading is not present
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Fire Safety Tips
COMMON FIRE CAUSES
ELECTRICAL ORIGIN
Check:
Off the main wall switch when not in use
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Fire Safety Tips
COMMON FIRE CAUSES
ELECTRICAL ORIGIN
Check:
Licensed Electrical Workers are used
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Fire Safety Tips
COMMON FIRE CAUSES
ELECTRICAL ORIGIN
Check:
Condition of wirings & electrical products
Overloading is not present
Off the main wall switch when not in use
Licensed Electrical Workers are used
Check:
Condition of wirings & electrical products
Overloading is not present
Off the main wall switch when not in use
Licensed Electrical Workers are used
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COMMON FIRE CAUSES
• Smouldering embers from
cigarette butts, incense papers,
joss sticks, mosquito coils,
charcoal, etc.
DROPPED LIGHT
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COMMON FIRE CAUSES
DROPPED LIGHT
•Embers not fully
extinguished
•Indiscriminate disposal
of embers / unwanted
items
•May smoulder for a
long time before ignition ED
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COMMON FIRE CAUSES
DROPPED LIGHT
•Case in Sungei Kadut
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COMMON FIRE CAUSES
DROPPED LIGHT
•Case in Sungei Kadut
Disposal of incense „ashes‟ in dumpster
Strong winds
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COMMON FIRE CAUSESE
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Remember:
Extinguish Completely,
Dispose Properly.
Fire Safety Tips
COMMON FIRE CAUSES
DROPPED LIGHT
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Remember:
Extinguish Completely,
Dispose Properly.
Fire Safety Tips
COMMON FIRE CAUSES
DROPPED LIGHT
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COMMON FIRE CAUSES
• Excessive heat being supplied
to the cooking utensil or
device; resulting in the ignition
of its contents
OVERHEATING (FOOD)
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COMMON FIRE CAUSES
Taboo #1 -
Unattended Cooking
OVERHEATING (FOOD)
480
63
Unattended Cooking Others
At least 88% of the
543 cases in 2010
were caused by
unattended cooking!
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COMMON FIRE CAUSES
Taboo #2 –
Reuse of oil without discretion
OVERHEATING (FOOD)
Reference: Babrauskas, V. (2003) Ignition Handbook, USA, Fire
Science, pp.886-888.
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OVERHEATING (FOOD)
•Case in Senoko
Cooking oil in deep fryer ignited
Damaged machine & exhaust ducts
COMMON FIRE CAUSESE
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OVERHEATING (FOOD)
•Case in Senoko
No change in operating temperature
Mixture of fresh and reused oils
Proportion of oils not fixed
COMMON FIRE CAUSESE
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COMMON FIRE CAUSES
Taboo #3 -
Accumulation of grease & oils
OVERHEATING (FOOD)
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OVERHEATING (FOOD)
Kitchen hood suddenly caught fire
during cooking activities
May not be the ignition fuel at times
But provides the fuel for rapid fire
spread!
COMMON FIRE CAUSESE
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COMMON FIRE CAUSESE
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Taboo #4 -
Incorrect method of extinguishing
COMMON FIRE CAUSES
OVERHEATING (FOOD)
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COMMON FIRE CAUSES
OVERHEATING (FOOD)
Disturbs the surface of the oil,
causes splattering & spreading
O2
O2O2
O2
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NEVER:• Leave cooking unattended
Fire Safety Tips
COMMON FIRE CAUSES
88%
12%
Unattended Cooking Others
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NEVER:
• Indiscreetly reuse cooking oil
Fire Safety Tips
COMMON FIRE CAUSESE
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NEVER:
• Allow grease to build up
Fire Safety Tips
COMMON FIRE CAUSESE
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NEVER:
• Operate any extinguishers or
pour anything into the burning
utensil to put out the fire
Fire Safety Tips
COMMON FIRE CAUSESE
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NEVER:• Leave cooking unattended
• Indiscreetly reuse cooking oil
• Allow grease to build up
• Operate any extinguishers or
pour anything into the burning
utensil to put out the fire
Fire Safety Tips
COMMON FIRE CAUSES
NEVER:• Leave cooking unattended
• Indiscreetly reuse cooking oil
• Allow grease to build up
• Operate any extinguishers or
pour anything into the burning
utensil to put out the fire
Mai LIAO, buay liao!
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SCDF FIRE REPORTE
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SCDF FIRE REPORTE
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- A record of the fire incident
- States the
• Location
• Date & Time
• Most probable cause of fire
• Brief description of damage
• Info on injuries or fatalities, if any
- Cost: $50
SCDF FIRE REPORT
- Can be applied online at
www.scdf.gov.sg (E-services)
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SCDF FIRE REPORT
- Under Fire / Ambulance Reports
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SCDF FIRE REPORT
- Click “Apply”
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SCDF FIRE REPORT
- Click “Proceed”
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SCDF FIRE REPORT
- Fill in the application form…
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SCDF FIRE REPORT
- Click „Continue‟
- Click „Accept‟ (Terms and
Conditions)
- Review your application form
and click „submit‟
- Make payment
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SCDF FIRE REPORTE
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- Receive the report within
10 working days
(provided investigations
have been completed)
- For archived cases,
3 working days.
FIRE INVESTIGATION
REPORT
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- Detailed report which gives
additional info on the
investigation
- Comes with supporting
photographs
FIRE INVESTIGATION
REPORT
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- Interpretation of fire patterns
Explains
how the
origin of
the fire was
determined
FIRE INVESTIGATION
REPORT
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- Documentation of facts/evidence
Explains
how the
most
probable
cause was
established
FIRE INVESTIGATION
REPORT
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- Cost of report depends on scale
of investigation
• S$1815, S$855 or S$350
- Write in to apply but subject to
approval
(Attn: Fire Investigation Unit)
FIRE INVESTIGATION
REPORT
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- In general, reports for cases
which were handed over to Police
for further investigation cannot
be released
• Incendiary fires
• Involving fatalities
CONCLUSION
• Fire Statistics for Singapore
2006 – 2010
• Top 3 common fire causes:
„Electrical Origin‟
„Dropped Light
„Overheating of Food‟
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CONCLUSION
• Fire Safety Tips:
„Electrical Origin’
Check:
Condition of wirings & electrical products
Overloading is not present
Off the main wall switch when not in use
Licensed Electrical Workers are used
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CONCLUSION
• Fire Safety Tips:
„Dropped Light’
Remember:
Extinguish Completely,
Dispose Properly.
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CONCLUSION
• Fire Safety Tips:
„Overheating of Food’
NEVER:Leave cooking unattended
Indiscreetly reuse cooking oil
Allow grease to build up
Operate any extinguishers or pour
anything into the burning utensil to
put out the fire
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CONCLUSION
• SCDF Fire Report
• SCDF Fire Investigation Report
• Application Procedures
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CONCLUSION
• Fire insurance is important!
• Fire safety is even more important!
• Fire destroys and fires can kill.
WE ALL PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE!
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Thank you.
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Joint NFEC-GIA Fire Seminar 2011