New Fire/Arson Specialist
Story By Clark Byron
The Pooler Police Department has appointed its first arson investigator, Officer James Self.
Five serial arsons in 2008 and another 27 in 2009 made for a lengthy investigation. “One of the things we realized is that we didn’t have anybody trained to investigate arsons,” said Police Chief Mark Revenew. “It’s really a science.”
Chief Revenew and the department sought a solution to fill the need for an arson specialist. The department concluded that it would make more sense to train a firefighter to be a police arson investigator than it would to train a police officer in arson science. In an agreement with Pooler Fire Chief Wade Simmons, the City of Pooler sent Firefighter James Self to the Savannah Regional Police Academy in Garden City. Self, 22, has been a Pooler firefighter for two years.
“Fortunately, we caught the guy who was doing the arsons,” said Chief Revenew. That arrest came before Officer Self assumed his new role in arson police work.
Self began his fire training in the junior program at the Pooler Fire Department at the tender age of 14. This early training made him eligible to take the firefighters certification test when he turned 18, and he attended the fire academy. Self worked for two years as a firefighter in Burke County, Georgia, before returning to Pooler, where he has been a firefighter for the past two years. Officer Self still serves a couple of times a month as a Pooler firefighter to keep his experience and certification current.
“I had hoped to go to the Georgia State Trooper Academy after high school but state budget cuts closed admissions,” said Self. After becoming a firefighter in Pooler, he approached Chief Revenew about going to the police academy. The need for an arson specialist presented a unique opportunity for him.
In his brand new role as Arson Investigator, Officer Self is prepared for his first case. He did a brief internship with the Savannah Fire Department as part of his preparation. This was in addition to his comprehensive 160-hour training in arson science.
“We’ve had several multi-million dollar fires just here in Pooler,” said Chief Revenew. “You have several people looking over your shoulder - insurance, the owner - so that’s where someone like Officer Self comes in.”
The acquisition of Officer Self as the City’s first arson investigator marks a milestone in the growth of Pooler and the increased capacity of its public safety services.
“He does a really good job and he’s very conscientious,” said Chief Revenew. “That’s the kind of skills you need as an investigator . . . somebody who’s going to take the time.”
Self and his family moved to Pooler in 2001 from Burke County. He and his girlfriend, Kristin, have been together for four years. He enjoys fishing and playing with his two dogs, a German shepherd and a poodle (poodle is actually Kristin’s), and working in his yard. His new career is a source of deep pride.
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