Fire/Arson Investigation Unit The Fire Investigation Unit is comprised of one lieutenant, one sergeant, 12 fire investigators, and an arson accelerant detection K-9 named Augie. This unit is under the direct supervision of the captain of the Fire Prevention Bureau. The fire investigators work a rotating shift schedule: two 12-hour days and two 12-hour nights followed by four days off. In the past, the Fire/ Arson Investigation Unit of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS) Department was responsible for investigating the cause and origin of all fires that occurred within the city. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) was responsible for investigating all crimes and deaths. The crime of arson presented a special problem for both departments. The Fire/ Arson Investigators of FEMS had the expertise in the science of fire investigation to determine the cause and origin of fires, but lacked the law enforcement training and powers to conduct criminal investigations and to make arrests. MPD had the law enforcement training and powers to conduct criminal investigations, but lacked the specialized training necessary to do fire investigations. Consequently, arson investigations fell between the cracks of the criminal justice system. In response to this situation, the DC City Council, at the urging of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, passed DC ACT 12-418 (Arson Investigators Amendment Act of 1998). This legislation granted members of FEMS Department, Fire/ Arson Investigation Unit, full police powers. Fire/ arson investigators must complete the entire training course at the Metropolitan Police Training Academy before being granted police powers. Currently, six of the members of the Fire Investigation Unit have these police powers. The Fire Investigation Unit has the authority to investigate the origin, cause, and circumstances of every fire, explosion, or hazardous materials emergency in which the fire department has a reasonable interest. When the fire investigator has reason to believe that a fire, explosion, or hazardous materials incident may be the result of a violation of any law, the investigator will immediately take custody of and safeguard all physical evidence in connection with the incident.