The task force is supervised by the fire department and is a multi-agency organization. It consists of members from the Riverside Fire Department, Riverside Police Department and the Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The task force also draws upon the expertise from such organizations as the San Bernardino Fire Department, Riverside Sheriff's Department and the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.
The task force, which is based out of the Riverside Fire Station 12, also maintains offices at the Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Offices located in downtown Riverside. This multi-agency approach allows the task force to draw upon a variety of skills and knowledge from its members thereby providing a superior level of service to the community.
Each fire and law enforcement member of the task force receives extensive training in the areas of arson investigation. Members may also be appointed as Special Deputy United States Marshals, attached to the Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. This designation allows members of the task force to receive additional training and access to federal resources to aid in the investigations of arson related crimes.
Professionals in the field of arson investigation consider the Riverside Fire/Arson Task Force a model unit. Its members are some of the best-trained and equipped personnel in the Inland Empire if not the state. The task force maintains a mobile command and investigations unit as well as five specially equipped investigator units. Typically, the task force will conduct over 200 fire and arson related investigations annually.
