The Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team is a joint effort that includes members from the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and the Chautauqua County Fire Service. The Fire Investigation Team is comprised of 4 Deputy Sheriff’s and 5 members from the Fire Service, including members from the Cassadaga, Falconer, Hanover Center, Mayville, and Sherman Fire Departments, as well as a member of the Emergency Services staff. Each member of the Fire Investigation Team is New York State, Level II certified. This is the highest certification in New York State. The Fire Investigation Team is utilized to investigate any fires that result in death, injury, that are suspicious in nature, or at the request of any Fire Chief. The Fire Investigation Team is available to assist any County Fire Department in determining the origin and cause of any fire. This unique collaboration allows suspicious fires to be investigated by the Sheriff’s Office, by Deputies who are also Fire Investigators. Several arrests have been made recently for Arson, including adults in criminal court and juveniles who are petitioned to Family Court. Under other circumstances, juveniles may be referred to the WCA FIRE (Fire Intervention Rehabilitation and Evaluation) Program. Through this program, children and their families, are assessed to determine their risks of fire setting.