What is the primary purpose of Fire Marshals during fire investigations?

The primary purpose of Fire Marshals during fire investigations is to determine the cause and management of fires. Fire Marshals play a crucial role in analyzing fire scenes to identify how and why a fire started, which can involve collecting physical evidence, interviewing witnesses, and evaluating the behavior of the fire itself. Understanding the causes of fires aids not only in addressing the specific incident but also in developing strategies to prevent future occurrences. This role is vital for public safety and law enforcement; knowing fire patterns helps in managing risks and designing effective fire prevention policies.

While collecting insurance claims, assigning penalties, and providing training to firefighters are important aspects of the broader fire safety ecosystem, they do not encapsulate the main objective of a Fire Marshal's investigation, which is fundamentally about determining the specifics of fire incidents.