Fire Investigators

Career summary

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Fire investigators work on cases where the cause of a fire may be arson (intentional fires) or criminal negligence (neglect of the property). Investigators take photos of fire damage. They examine fire sites and collect evidence of possible causes of fires. Fire investigators test sites and materials to get the facts straight. For example, they test burn patterns and flash points. A flash point is the lowest temperature at which a fire will start.

Fire investigators interview witnesses. They gather information about the fire, including when it started and how it burned. They talk to property owners and building occupants. They sometimes order people to go to court.

Fire investigators analyze the evidence and try to determine the causes of fires. They use air sampling machines to detect gases, or use sniffing dogs. They check wiring to see if it was improperly put together. They keep records of known arsonists in their area. They compare the arson methods in new cases against the methods these arsonists have used in the past.

Investigators prepare reports of the results of their investigations. They have the authority to issue warrants and arrest suspects. They may also testify in court about fire cases.

Some fire investigators investigate their own fire departments. They search for neglect or violation of laws by employees. Some fire investigators educate the public, particularly children, about the dangers of fire.

Related careers

This career is part of the Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Compliance Officers and Inspectors
• Construction and Building Inspectors
• Detectives and Investigators
• Fire Inspectors
• Firefighters
• Forensic Science Technicians
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
• Private Detectives and Investigators
• Safety Engineers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to fire investigators.

• Examine sites and collect evidence about fires or explosions. Photograph fire damage and other evidence.
• Test sites and materials to establish facts, such as burn patterns.
• Interview and order witnesses, property owners, and building occupants to testify in court.
• Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable causes of fires.
• Prepare and maintain reports of the results of investigations.
• Arrest and detain suspected arsonists.
• Testify in court for cases involving fires or suspected arson.
• Conduct investigations to determine neglect or violation of laws by fire department employees.
• May educate the public about the dangers of fire.
• Work with other law enforcement agencies to solve possible arson cases.

Common work activities

Fire investigators perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Perform for or work with the public
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Document and record information
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Evaluate information against standards
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Handle and move objects
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Develop and build teams
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Assist and care for others
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Analyze data or information
• Process information
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Coach others
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Use computers
• Schedule work and activities
• Think creatively
• Develop goals and strategies
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Recruit, interview, or hire others
• Teach others
• Monitor and control resources
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
• Perform administrative tasks
• Control machines and processes
• Provide information or drawings about devices, equipment, or structures

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, fire investigators:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium level of job-required social contact. They talk to many people during investigations, but also spend time alone analyzing results.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of building occupants.
• Usually work as part of a larger investigatory team.
• Communicate by telephone, e-mail, letters, memos, and in person on a daily basis.

Physical work conditions

• Are exposed to hazardous equipment on a daily basis.
• Are exposed to loud sounds and distracting and uncomfortable noise levels on a weekly basis.
• Work both indoors and outdoors. Temperatures may vary due to fire and weather.
• Are often exposed to contaminants, such as toxic fumes from fires or explosions.
• Sometimes wear protective gear, such as helmets and breathing equipment.
• Are sometimes exposed to extremely bright or inadequate lighting.
• May be exposed to hazardous conditions or situations, such as sudden cave-ins of floors or toppling walls.
• Travel to and from investigation sites in a car, truck, or van.
• Work near others. They usually have a few feet of space separating themselves from others.
• Sometimes must get into awkward positions to inspect cramped work spaces.
• May be exposed to hazardous equipment.

Work performance

• Must be sure their work is very exact. Errors could have serious safety consequences.
• Often repeat the same physical and mental tasks.
• Make decisions that affect others, including businesses and homeowners whose property was damaged in a fire, on a weekly basis.
• They rarely consult a supervisor before making a decision or deciding on their daily tasks and goals.
• Abide by strict daily deadlines.

Hours/travel

• Usually work more than 40 hours per week.
• Generally work a set schedule. May be on-call to investigate suspicious fires.

Physical demands

Fire investigators frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.

It is important for fire investigators to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for fire investigators to be able to:

• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Move arms and legs quickly.

Skills and abilities

Fire investigators need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.

Use math and science

• Use scientific methods to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Fire Protection Technology
• Fire Science and Firefighting
• Fire Services Administration

Other programs of study to consider

• Forensic Science

Training

To work as a fire investigator, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• complete formal training;
• have more than five years of related work experience; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Educational requirements vary by fire department. Many fire investigators receive formal training as emergency medical technicians (EMTs). A number of colleges and universities offer courses in fire engineering, fire control, or fire science. Depending on the school, you can earn an associate or bachelor's degree in these areas.

It is becoming quite common for cities and municipalities to require that firefighters and fire investigators to have a college degree or complete equivalent coursework in key areas, such as chemistry and writing.

Work experience

Fire investigators typically have many years of experience as a firefighter or police officer.

On-the-job training

New investigators receive training in investigation techniques and procedures. Sometimes an experienced investigator or supervisor trains you. Otherwise, you attend classes at the fire academy or take college courses. Training may last up to a year.

Many fire investigators take courses at the National Fire Academy (NFA). The NFA offers courses to anyone working in fire fighting, inspection, or investigation.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Blueprint Reading
• Construction
• Driver Education
• Physical Education
• Safety and First Aid

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Applicants must pass a written exam, and tests of physical strength, stamina, and agility. They also must pass a medical exam that may include drug screening. Exams are generally open to people who are at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Those who receive the highest scores have the best chances of getting a job. Taking community college courses in fire science may improve an applicant's chances.

Besides high scores, employers look for applicants with courage, self-discipline, and a sense of public service. Leadership qualities are important for fire investigators. College-level training may also be required. Those who enter the preparation from working as a firefighter usually have at least five or six years of experience.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Fire Investigators 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by area of the country and the investigator's level of experience and training.

Fire investigators who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, health insurance, and a retirement plan. Most fire departments provide protective clothing (helmets, boots, and coats) and breathing equipment.

National wage information is not available specifically for fire investigators. However, they are part of the larger group of "fire inspectors and investigators."

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Local and state government-sponsored fire departments

National outlook

Growth in this occupation is expected to be about as fast as average. As the population grows, the demand for fire investigators should increase.

Competition for openings for fire investigators is expected to be strong. Turnover is low and layoffs are uncommon. Most jobs open as workers retire or leave this occupation for other reasons.

Employment and outlook information is not available specifically for fire investigators. However, they are part of the larger group of "fire inspectors and investigators."

Other resources

American Academy of Forensic Sciences 
410 North 21st Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80904
719.636.1100

International Association of Fire Fighters 
1750 New York Avenue NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006
202.737.8484

International Association of Women in Fire and Emergency Services 
1707 Ibis Drive
Buffalo, MN 55313
763.395.1207

National Association of Fire Investigators 
4900 Manatee Ave. West, Suite 104
Bradenton, FL 34209
877.506.6234
941.359.2800

National Fire Academy 
16825 S. Seton Ave.
Emmitsburg, MD 21727

References

Career cluster

• Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

O*Net  occupation

• Fire Investigators (33-2021.02) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Fire Marshal (373.267-014) 
• Fire-investigation Lieutenant (373.267-018) 

Holland occupational clusters

• Investigative/Realistic/Conventional
• Realistic/Investigative/Conventional

COPSystem

• Science Skilled