Fire Inspector / Investigator

Inspect buildings to detect fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state laws, or investigate and gather facts to determine cause of fires and explosions.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Arson Investigator; Fire Code Inspector; Fire Inspector; Fire Investigator; Fire Official; Fire Prevention Inspector; Fire Prevention Specialist; Fire Protection Specialist; Fire Safety Inspector; Fire Safety Specialist

Tasks

• Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.
• Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.
• Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.
• Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.
• Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.
• Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.
• Inspect buildings to locate hazardous conditions and fire code violations, such as accumulations of combustible material, electrical wiring problems, and inadequate or non-functional fire exits.
• Examine fire sites and collect evidence such as glass, metal fragments, charred wood, and accelerant residue for use in determining the cause of a fire.
• Instruct children about the dangers of fire.
• Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found.
• Inspect properties that store, handle, and use hazardous materials to ensure compliance with laws, codes, and regulations, and issue hazardous materials permits to facilities found in compliance.
• Write detailed reports of fire inspections performed, fire code violations observed, and corrective recommendations offered.
• Identify corrective actions necessary to bring properties into compliance with applicable fire codes, laws, regulations, and standards, and explain these measures to property owners or their representatives.
• Develop or review fire exit plans.
• Inspect and test fire protection or fire detection systems to verify that such systems are installed in accordance with appropriate laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards.

Knowledge

• Public Safety and Security
• Customer and Personal Service
• Building and Construction
• Law and Government
• Education and Training
• English Language
• Administration and Management

Skills

• Active Listening
• Writing
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Monitoring
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies

Abilities

• Problem Sensitivity
• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Near Vision
• Category Flexibility
• Flexibility of Closure
• Selective Attention
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Fluency of Ideas
• Far Vision
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Originality