SLED fire investigators like Agent Bo Medley, at top left of photo, and Lt. Bobby Shealy, at top right, met recently with members and organizers of a new fire investigation team that started operations in Cherokee County on Tuesday. The fire investigation team, made up of volunteers willing to commit themselves to all the training involved, will help determine the cause and origin of fires in Cherokee County whenever requested by local fire departments. In planning for approximately the past year, a new team of fire investigators officially began operations Tuesday in Cherokee County.

There was no ribbon cutting or celebration, however. Members of the team will simply wait for a cell phone call, or a text message, to let them know when they're needed.

The new Cherokee County Fire Investigation Team currently is comprised of 12 volunteers from several area departments, though organizers hope to double that number as the team evolves.

Formed by the Cherokee County Fire Chiefs Association, the countywide fire investigation team was created to assist area fire departments in determining the cause and origin of fires in Cherokee County. It's modeled after a fire investigation team in Spartanburg County.

The investigative process can not only help answer questions for fire victims and help prevent other fires, organizers say the process can also lay the groundwork for law enforcement to take a look at a fire scene if necessary.

"We're there to assist Cherokee County's fire chiefs," said Gaffney Fire Chief Nathan Ellis, an organizer and member of the new investigation team.

Goucher-White Plains Fire Chief Jimmy Lamb, also an organizer and member of the new team, said local fire chiefs will remain in charge of determining the cause and origin of fires but will have access to the investigating team whenever needed.

All of the team members have to make major time commitments as part of their service. Each member has to complete a basic fire investigation course — about 80 hours — within two years of joining the team. The members also have to commit themselves to working fire scenes whenever needed.

"That's the best way to learn," Ellis added. "You've got to get out there and look at (fire scenes)."

Recently, the team members met with SLED fire investigators during a training session to get a better idea of their responsibilities as well as to gain some veteran insight.

SLED Lt. Bobby Shealy walked the team members through the most common accidental causes of fires as well as photographs of scenes where fires were intentionally set. Fire investigation is a methodical and scientific process, Shealy told the new team members. It's also a dirty process, as the work generally involves working one's way down through rubble and debris to find the evidence buried underneath.

Organizers have been stressing from the start that the fire investigation team is not an arson investigative unit. When appropriate, law enforcement and SLED fire investigators will always be available.

An organizational meeting was first held last February and it was hoped that the team would have as many as 24 members, split up into 3- or 4- man groups who would be on call for designated periods of time.

Ellis expects the team will primarily be called upon when fires involve major property damage or suspicious activity.