What You'll Do

  • 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.

Essential Skills

Active Listening 3.62/5
Writing 3.5/5
Speaking 3.5/5
Critical Thinking 3.5/5
Reading Comprehension 3.38/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.38/5
Monitoring 3.25/5
Persuasion 3.25/5
Instructing 3.25/5
Service Orientation 3.25/5
Active Learning 3.12/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.12/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to understand the kind of profile this role rewards. It helps you judge whether this career looks like a stronger match than your current role, a nearby move worth exploring, or a broader path to compare more seriously.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Integrity, Attention to Detail, Dependability, Cautiousness, Self-Control

Want a personal read on fit? Take the free assessment and compare this career to your current role, nearby alternatives, and broader stronger-fit options.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Problem Sensitivity 4.12/5
Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Written Expression 4.0/5
Oral Expression 3.88/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.88/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.75/5
Information Ordering 3.75/5

Technologies & Tools

Code database software Consolidated Model of Fire and Smoke Transport CFAST Email software Fire Dynamics Software FDS Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word National Fire Incident Reporting System NFIRS Web browser software Xerox Government systems FIREHOUSE Software

Work Environment & Strengths

Common Strengths for This Career

  • Integrity (High importance: 4.95/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.85/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.77/5)
  • Cautiousness (High importance: 4.75/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 4.48/5)

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How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Alarm Inspector Alarm Sprinkler Inspector Arson and Bomb Investigator Arson Investigator Bomb Investigator Building Inspector Canine Handler (K9 Handler) Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI) Code Official Fire Alarm and Fire Sprinkler Inspector Fire Alarm Inspector Fire Alarm Systems Technician (Fire Alarm Systems Tech) Fire Alarm Technician (Fire Alarm Tech) Fire and Explosion Investigator Fire Code Inspector Fire Equipment Inspector Fire Extinguisher Inspector Fire Extinguisher Sprinkler Inspector Fire Extinguisher Technician (Fire Extinguisher Tech) Fire Hazard Inspector Fire Inspector Fire Investigator Fire Marshall Fire Official Fire Prevention Inspector Fire Prevention Officer Fire Prevention Specialist Fire Protection Fabricator Fire Protection Inspector Fire Protection Specialist Fire Safety Inspector Fire Safety Specialist Fire Sprinkler Apparatus Inspector Fire Sprinkler Foreman Fire Sprinkler Inspector Fire System Inspector Fire Systems Inspector Inspector Smoke Inspector Sprinkler Inspector Water-Based Fire Protection Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Technician

Career Fit FAQs

Is this career a good fit for me

This page shows the role itself. To see personal fit, use the assessment to compare your interests, motivations, and strengths against this career and against the role you are in now.

Can this help if I want to stay in my field

Yes. Many people use career pages like this to compare nearby roles in the same field and see whether they need a full switch or a better-fit version of the work they already know.

What should I compare first

Start with the daily tasks, the preparation level, and the work-style signals on this page. Then use the assessment to see whether this role looks like a stronger fit than your current role or just a different title.