The Vermont State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit (FEIU) responds, upon request, to investigate fires and explosions involving residential and commercial properties, motor vehicles and boats in which the origin and cause cannot be readily determined by local fire chiefs or their designees. The unit also will respond to any fires or explosions involving serious bodily injury or death.
The State Police FEIU merged with the Vermont Division of Fire Safety in 2006, combining the expertise of the fire investigators from the Division of Fire Safety and FEIU into a collaborative investigative unit. Although fire investigators from the Vermont State Police and the Division of Fire Safety respond to scenes together, typically VSP takes the lead on suspicious fires, fatal or serious injury fires and explosions, while Fire Safety investigators primarily handle accidental and non-suspicious fires.
The Vermont State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit currently has four detective sergeants who are specifically trained in fire investigations. VSP Investigators, along with Division of Fire Safety investigators, are stationed throughout the state, covering both State Police Troop areas
Detective Sgt. Matt Hill
A Troop - West / St. Albans Barracks
Detective Sgt. Clark Lombardi
A Troop - East / Derby Barracks
Detective Sgt. Jamie Wright
B Troop - West / Shaftsbury Barracks
Detective Sgt. Chris Blais
B Troop - East / Royalton Barracks
Do you have information regarding a suspicious fire?
The Vermont Arson Tip Award Program was formed in 1984 by the insurance and banking industry as a nonprofit association. The main objective was to solicit public feedback and identify fire-setters. The tips that have been generated in this program have developed into many prosecutable cases, while thousands of dollars in awards have been returned to the callers. The Vermont Arson Tip Award Program operates with members of the insurance agencies, banking and insurance, fire departments, and the Vermont State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit. Public service announcements are also a big part of the program, as education and awareness is vital to the success of fighting arson.
If you have information regarding a suspicious fire please consider using the Vermont Arson Tip Award Program (VATAP). You can receive up to $5,000 for information that helps detect or prevent an arson fire, bomb threat or explosion. Call 1-800-32-ARSON or 1-800-322-7766.
Do you need to request a fire investigator?
Fire chiefs or their designees can call their local Vermont State Police barracks to request a fire investigation. The State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit has a fire investigator on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Reports
Do you need a copy of a fire investigation report? Contact the Division of Fire Safety at 802-479-7566 or by email at dps.dfsinvestigationreports@vermont.gov, or visit vsp.vermont.gov/public.