AWID & Scope of Operations
Where are AWID investigations currently available?
Our Arson & Wildfire Investigation Division (A.W.I.D.) is currently operational and accepting investigation requests in the following countries:
- France (excluding overseas territories)
- Greece (all regions)
- Portugal (excluding islands)
- Spain (excluding islands)
We are actively working to expand our services to other European countries in the near future. Please check our website regularly for updates on new service areas.
What is the role of the AWID?
The A.W.I.D. is a specialized unit of the EFPRP dedicated to uncovering the origin and cause of wildfires. Our mission is to provide an independent, transparent analysis of fire events. We work to identify whether a fire was natural, accidental, or intentionally set. The insights we gain are crucial for developing effective prevention strategies and improving public safety. Our work complements the efforts of official fire services and law enforcement agencies.
How does the AWID respond to my request?
Upon submitting a request, our team of investigators will:
Review your submission: We will immediately assess the information you have provided, including the location, date, and any details or evidence you have submitted.
Initial Contact: You will receive a confirmation email to acknowledge that we have received your request. An AWID Investigator will follow up with you directly if any additional information is needed.
Investigation & Analysis: Our team will use the data you provided along with other available information to conduct a thorough analysis. Due to the complexity of each case, the time required for a full investigation can vary.
Reporting: We provide individual reports on our findings. Be aware that the data from your submission will also be used to inform our public reports, prevention efforts, and will be shared with official authorities when appropriate to aid their investigations.
We strive to acknowledge all requests within 3-5 business days of submission. Please understand that the time it takes to process a full investigation will depend on the complexity of the case.
Is there any cost related to the submission of a case?
No. The EFPRP is a nonprofit organization and, the AWID, being an operational division of the EFPRP does not charge anything to investigate a wildfire case. The AWID operates free of charge, with the funding and donations given to the EFPRP.
Can a case be stopped or suspended?
Yes, an investigation may be stopped or suspended for a few key reasons. While we are committed to seeing our inquiries through, our ability to conduct a thorough investigation is dependent on external factors. A case may be halted if:
The cooperation from fire departments or other official agencies is not forthcoming or takes way too long to provide the necessary reports and information.
- The incident becomes the subject of a formal criminal investigation by law enforcement, which takes precedence over our independent work.
Are all investigation requests accepted?
No. To ensure our resources are used effectively, we are unable to accept every request we receive. We carefully review all submissions based on several criteria before a case is opened. An investigation request may not be accepted if:
The incident is outside our current service areas of France, Greece, Portugal, and Spain.
The provided information is insufficient to begin an investigation (e.g., lack of specific location, date, or other key details).
- The date of the wildfire incident is superior to 5 years.
- The case is determined to be outside the scope of our division.
Please note: The time required to complete an investigation or receive an official report can vary significantly. Acquiring official reports is dependent on the cooperation and response times of the fire departments and other official parties involved in the incident, meaning that the time can vary. Rest assured, the AWID will keep you updated each step of the way.
If you have a question or you need any additional information, please, contact awid@efprp.org or support@efprp.org.
