Occupation · SOC 33-2021
Fire Inspectors and Investigators
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.
Median wage
$78,060
$47,580–$149,870
Projected growth
+3.4%
Average growth
Annual openings
60
per year
Employed (US)
14,050
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
366 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningWritingSpeakingCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionService OrientationInstructing
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityCustomer and Personal ServiceBuilding and ConstructionLaw and GovernmentEducation and Training
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareElectronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative 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.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.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.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.Coordinate efforts with other organizations, such as law enforcement agencies.Attend training classes to maintain current knowledge of fire prevention, safety, and firefighting procedures.Review blueprints and plans for new or remodeled buildings to ensure the structures meet fire safety codes.Teach fire investigation techniques to other firefighter personnel.Conduct fire exit drills to monitor and evaluate evacuation procedures.Teach public education programs on fire safety and prevention.Recommend changes to fire prevention, inspection, and fire code endorsement procedures.Subpoena and interview witnesses, property owners, and building occupants to obtain information and sworn testimony.Conduct internal investigation to determine negligence and violation of laws and regulations by fire department employees.Test sites and materials to establish facts, such as burn patterns and flash points of materials, using test equipment.Dust evidence or portions of fire scenes for latent fingerprints.Arrange for the replacement of defective fire fighting equipment and for repair of fire alarm and sprinkler systems, making minor repairs such as servicing fire extinguishers when feasible.Issue permits for public assemblies.Supervise staff, training them, planning their work, and evaluating their performance.Develop and coordinate fire prevention programs, such as false alarm billing, fire inspection reporting, and hazardous materials management.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Fire scene evidence — collect and package in securely closed containers under direct supervisor guidance during initial field assignments.Investigation reports — draft basic written summaries of fire scene observations using word processing software under close oversight.Building inspection checklists — follow standardized protocols to identify visible fire code violations such as blocked exits during supervised walkthroughs.Photographic documentation — capture images of fire damage and physical evidence using department-issued equipment at assigned incident sites.Fire protection system components — recognize and label basic elements such as sprinkler heads and alarm panels during supervised acceptance testing.Evidence containers — label, seal, and log collected materials such as charred wood or glass fragments into chain-of-custody records with supervisor review.Combustible material accumulations — identify and flag obvious hazards in residential and commercial structures following established inspection criteria.Incident databases — enter factual fire scene data into records management software under direction to support case tracking.Fire and safety codes — read and reference applicable local code sections to support inspection findings during entry-level field work.Supervisor instructions — listen actively and follow oral and written direction when conducting initial fire inspections and evidence collection tasks.
developing
Probable cause analysis — apply deductive reasoning to evaluate physical evidence patterns and determine likely fire origin in routine residential cases.Inspection findings reports — compose clear, complete written reports of fire code violations and hazardous conditions using office suite software with minimal editorial review.Newly installed fire suppression systems — conduct acceptance testing and document compliance with applicable codes during standard commercial construction inspections.Arson case records — maintain accurate, organized databases of investigation results and suspect information using department records management software.Accelerant residue and physical evidence — examine collected samples and correlate findings with burn patterns to support cause-and-origin determinations.False alarm patterns — monitor incident data over time to identify recurring violations or systemic building issues requiring follow-up action.Fire scene photography — plan and execute systematic photographic documentation of multiple evidence points to build a coherent investigative record.Court testimony preparation — organize case notes and evidentiary materials in advance of routine legal proceedings involving confirmed or suspected arson.Building occupants and owners — communicate inspection results and required corrective actions clearly and professionally in field settings.Time-sensitive inspections — prioritize and manage multiple concurrent inspection assignments across a defined service area within established deadlines.
proficient
Complex fire and explosion investigations — conduct autonomous cause-and-origin analyses integrating physical evidence, witness accounts, and laboratory results across commercial and industrial sites.Arson prosecution support — testify confidently in court proceedings, presenting technical findings and chain-of-custody documentation to judges and juries.Non-routine code violations — apply inductive reasoning to identify subtle or concealed fire hazards in buildings with unusual construction or occupancy types.Multi-system acceptance testing — independently evaluate newly installed fire protection systems including suppression, detection, and alarm components against code requirements.Investigative case files — prepare comprehensive, legally defensible investigation reports and maintain long-term records of arson suspects and convicted offenders.Accelerant and forensic evidence — analyze and interpret laboratory analytical results alongside scene observations to establish probable cause in contested cases.Hazard correction compliance — monitor follow-up inspections and use persuasion and judgment to secure timely remediation of identified fire code deficiencies.Cross-agency coordination — collaborate with law enforcement, prosecutors, and insurance investigators to share evidence and align investigative strategies.Presentation of findings — develop and deliver professional briefings using presentation software to department leadership, courts, and community stakeholders.Emerging fire risk technologies — apply active learning to evaluate new suppression systems, materials, and building practices and integrate findings into inspection protocols.
advanced
Departmental inspection and investigation programs — design and implement comprehensive fire safety frameworks aligned with current codes and organizational risk priorities.Inspector workforce development — mentor and instruct junior and mid-level inspectors in investigation techniques, evidence handling, and courtroom testimony standards.Policy and code advocacy — lead review and recommendation of local fire code amendments, representing the department before legislative and regulatory bodies.Organizational quality standards — establish performance metrics and audit processes to ensure consistency and legal defensibility across all investigation case files.Multi-agency task forces — direct collaborative arson investigation units involving law enforcement, prosecutors, and federal agencies on high-profile or serial-arson cases.Strategic inspection planning — allocate staffing and resources across jurisdictional inspection schedules using data analysis to target highest-risk occupancies.Expert witness leadership — serve as the department's principal expert witness, advising on courtroom strategy and supporting prosecutors in complex arson litigation.Technology integration — evaluate and authorize adoption of new investigative tools, analytical software, and database platforms to modernize departmental operations.Community and stakeholder engagement — lead public education campaigns and business outreach programs that reduce fire risk and improve voluntary code compliance.Organizational resilience — develop succession plans and training curricula that sustain departmental competency in fire inspection and investigation across leadership transitions.
Also known as
80 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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