By Aaron Haugen (@ahaugie on Twitter)

Fire recruits learn about fire investigation

May 20, 2016 | 9:06 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Lethbridge Fire and EMS are giving their new recruits a chance to learn how to investigate a fire.

Fire investigation training has been given to members of the department in the past, but this is the first year the training has been given to recruits.

Chris Ponce, a recruit, said the training helps them identify what’s going on when they arrive at a scene.

“We’re the eyes, we’re the ears, we’re usually there first on scene,” he said. “Maybe the fire investigators aren’t there yet and we report what we see and any pieces of information that can help them figure out what’s going on.”

Heath Wright, Chief Fire Marshall with Lethbridge Fire and EMS, said since firefighters are first on the scene they see more of the evidence.

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“Flame behaviour or fire behaviour or the colour of smoke and recognizing that if it is due to accidental or if it is actually malicious activity,” he said.

The 11 recruits of the 2016 class are set to graduate in mid June.