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Career Details :: Fire Investigators
Description
Conduct investigations to determine causes of fires and explosions.
Experience
A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Tasks
- Examines site and collects evidence to gather information relating to cause of fire, explosion, or false alarm.
- Photographs damage and evidence relating to cause of fire or explosion, for future reference.
- Subpoenas and interviews witnesses, property owners, and building occupants to obtain information and sworn testimony.
- Conducts internal investigation to determine negligence and violation of laws and regulations by fire department employees.
- Analyzes evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.
- Tests site and materials to establish facts, such as burn patterns and flash points of materials, using test equipment.
- Prepares and maintains reports of investigation results and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.
- Swears out warrants and arrests, logs, fingerprints, and detains suspected arsonists.
- Testifies in court for cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.
- Instructs children about dangers of fire.
Related Careers
- Criminal Investigators and Special Agents
- Fire Inspectors
- Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
- Police Detectives
- Private Detectives and Investigators
- Product Safety Engineers
- Transit and Railroad Police
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, Material
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Job-Required Social Interaction
- Consequence of Error
- Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
- Frustrating Circumstances
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Related Majors
| Major | Add to XapPack |
|---|---|
| Criminal Justice/Security Administration |  [ add ] |
| Fire Administration Management | [ add ] |
| Fire Protection Administration/Technology | [ add ] |
| Fire Protection Engineering | [ add ] |
| Fire Protection Technology | [ add ] |
| Fire Science | [ add ] |
| Fire Science/Public Safety | [ add ] |
| Fire Services Administration | [ add ] |
| Fire/Occupational Technology | [ add ] |
| Pre-engineering Chemistry | [ add ] |
| Private Security | [ add ] |
| Private Security/Loss Prevention | [ add ] |
| Public Safety | [ add ] |
| Security Management | [ add ] |
| Security Systems | [ add ] |
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.