Is there a legal way to find out a name to an e-mail address?

[Strawboss]

An anonomous e-mail was sent to my chief, supposedly from a resident critisizing my shift's performance at a recent fire. Is there a legal way using techniques available to anyone to find out if a name was used to create this identity? I know its a long shot, probably used the library and a fake name. But its BS and its being handled wrongly and we were talking around the table the other day and I thought it was possible. Any ideas? BTW, somebody had their camera rolling and posted it on u-tube, I'm not in it as I was way to the left of the camera working the pumper. Look under North Olmsted Fire, it happened Sunday the 8th.

[Maille Man]

http://www.pipl.com/  searches the web for other places the email address is used.  If they use their real name for, say, Facebook, it'll match the two.

[Strawboss]

Thanks, nothing came up but it does ask for money to search more. Its a start and I'll forward the info to some guys that are better at computer stuff than me. I doubt we'll ever know, its a one time use it and throw it away identity using a fake name and address. I've got a few ideas but no way to absolutely prove it. Chicken $hit if you ask me, but its being treated as a serious letter. BTW, I should include that we are in the middle of a possible contentious contract negotiation. Thanks though. Any other ideas would be appreciated.

[lt1]

Wouldn't it be better to just let the investigation proceed?  Even the slightest appearance of witness intimidation or tampering would probably not help your side of any negotiations.

[MAN OF BLUES]

What did they have to criticize about? looked pretty normal to me, and it didn't take long to get in and begin knocking the worst of it down. Seems like there were a bunch of nosey nebbie's standing around, in an easily definable "unsafe zone" (seeing as there was a SUV in the garage, that could have blown...), I suppose it was one of them biotching about being told to move back about 5 minutes into the film....

They should be thankful that your department doesn't make them sign a charge card reciept before your men enter the building, like some areas do...hell, there is no reason for anyone to complain about the extent of the fire, you guys controlled it easily, could have been much worse..... there's houses in mid Cleveland the departments won't even enter.....for fear of falling thru floors and such...urban renewal 2012. 
I think the film shows you guys did your job.

[Tim]

She says  "holy crap" He says "yep thats a fire." I have to agree with MOB. I saw nothing out of the ordinary. I wish there was a view from the back of the house where I think the water was first applied. There are signs of grey smoke pretty early in the video which tells me some one was getting water on the right spot.  The structure was saved, no other buildings caught on fire and it appears to me the fire was put out in good time. I say let the Chief do his thing.  It also appears to me the house could be rebuilt. I’ve been to a few fires, structure, hay and Forest but I’m no expert. I was only an observer and provided security.     

[Strawboss]

Thanks guys, this is obviously a plant and a set up to get someone to respond, most likely originating from within the administration or from someone close to someone in the administration that was told what to do and how to do it, THIS IS MY OPINION AND MY OPINION ONLY. It was a "chat and chuck" throw away one time use e-mail address most likely posted from a public computer which means that without a search warrant we will not likely find out a sender. There is no investigation planned nor will there be by anyone within the fire dept. or the city administration. Refer to my comments on the upcoming potential nasty contract negotiations. The fire was contained to the attic only, no smoke or fire damage to anything within the living area of the struture. The people filming it are civilians not attuned to firefighting tactics or behavior or safety, and thats ok. Thanks again. I never thought in a million years that I'd have to justify my actions to anyone who called me to risk my life to save their replacable household items.