Shawcity Partners with Vital Fire Solutions to Enhance Fire Investigation Training

Shawcity is proud to collaborate with Lee Aspery, Head of Training Delivery and Assurance at Vital Fire Solutions (VFS), to support the delivery of the nationally recognised Level 5 Skills for Justice Certificate in Fire Investigation.

As part of this partnership, Shawcity has provided the VFS team with access to the Tiger XT Fire Investigation Kit, enhancing the practical training experience and showcasing the real-world application of detection technology in modern forensic fire investigation.

VFS is one of only two Skills for Justice-accredited centres in the UK authorised to deliver this prestigious qualification. Offering forensic investigation courses to Fire Service and Police investigators, each programme runs over 12 months and is delivered at VFS’s purpose-built training centre in Bowburn, County Durham. The training team, made up of experienced former Tier 2 Fire Investigators, is dedicated to delivering high-quality, evidence-based training.

VFS delivers training to a broad network of high-profile clients and partners, including:

• OPITO – Offshore and helicopter firefighting training
• Sellafield Nuclear Power Station
• AkzoNobel – Private Fire and Rescue Service
• All three Welsh Fire and Rescue Services (FRS)
• Tyne & Wear, North Yorkshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, and Durham & Darlington FRS
• South Wales and Gwent Police Forces CSI Teams.
  
  

Collaboration with Shawcity and the Tiger XT Fire Investigation Kit

As part of the collaboration, Shawcity’s UK Sales Manager, Chris Mottershaw, visited Lee Aspery and the VFS team to deliver hands-on demonstrations and product training on the Tiger XT, an industry-leading PID detector from Ion Science.

Detecting 750 gases and toxic compounds down to 1 part per billion (ppb) up to 20,000 parts per million (ppm), the Tiger XT responds to dangerous compounds in just two seconds and clears down just as quickly, alerting users with an audio-visual and vibration alarm.

It offers real-time, non-destructive analysis, allowing the investigators to:

• Quickly identify ignition sources
• Preserve scene integrity to assist with crime scenes
• Improve safety by detecting hazardous vapours
• Support evidence-based hypotheses

To take a sample using the Tiger XT, investigators begin by powering on and zeroing the device in clean air before systematically scanning areas of interest at close range, without touching surfaces.

Real-time readings reveal elevated VOC levels that may indicate hydrocarbon compounds used as accelerants such as those found in petrol, alkanes and cycloalkanes. Comparing these with baseline samples from unaffected areas helps investigators accurately identify suspicious concentrations.

Thanks to its patented Fence Electrode Technology and anti-contamination design the Tiger XT ensures optimal performance within humid and heavily contaminated atmospheres, extending run time in the field.

Supporting the VFS Level 5 CPD Programme

Lee Aspery, the Head of Training Delivery and Assurance at Vital Fire Solutions, was highly supportive of the Tiger XT, saying,

‘The Tiger XT features strongly during our specialist fire investigation training, particularly in our practical assessment weeks where fire investigation Learners are put through an extensive range of post-fire scene examination scenarios. We are so appreciative of the support from Shawcity of our Learners with the Tiger XT kit’.

Lee had this to say about the collaboration of Shawcity and VFS,

‘VFS is committed to delivering the highest standards of professional and technical development for UK fire investigation and crime scene examination professionals. Shawcity’s support through the Tiger XT allows us to add that extra technical edge to getting the very best out of our Learners, making our communities safer.'

For further details, to discuss your monitoring requirements, or to arrange a product demo, contact our friendly team on 01367 899419 or email: solutions@shawcity.co.uk.