FIRE AND EXPLOSION INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU

TO REPORT A FIRE AND REQUEST AN INVESTIGATOR CALL 1-800-589-2728   24/7

The Division of State Fire Marshal’s Fire and Explosion Investigation Bureau (commonly called the Arson Bureau) is a law enforcement agency tasked with investigating the origin, cause and circumstances of fires and explosions in the State of Ohio. The FEIB will also arrest and prosecute persons believed to be guilty of arson, illegal explosives, illegal fireworks and similar crimes. FEIB investigators are trained law enforcement officers via the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy, and may also take sworn statements, issue subpoenas, make arrests and file charges with local prosecutors in all 88 Ohio counties (ref: ORC 3737.22, 3737.24, 3737.25, 3737.26).

The FEIB is staffed with a chief, 4 assistant chiefs (district supervisors), 21 investigators and 3 office support staff. The chief and support staffs are located at the SFM campus in Reynoldsburg. Investigators and supervisors are based in field offices around the state to facilitate a timely response to all Ohio counties; this includes approximately 11 million citizens and 41,000 square miles.

FEIB investigators may respond 24 hours per day to requests for assistance from local fire or police departments for fires, explosions or fireworks incidents. The FEIB also has close working relationships with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Ohio Department of Insurance Fraud Investigation Unit.

FEIB investigators and supervisors train frequently to maintain skills and conduct investigations in compliance with the most recent standards, including fire investigation procedures, legal updates, and required OPOTA recertification. Many FEIB members are Certified Fire Investigators (CFI) by the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) and / or Certified Fire Explosion Investigators (CFEI) by the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI).

TO REPORT A FIRE AND REQUEST AN INVESTIGATOR CALL 1-800-589-2728   24/7