Fire Inspectors and Investigators
Protective Service
The work splits between prevention and after-the-fact inquiry. Inspections look for hazards such as piled combustibles, faulty wiring, blocked or broken fire exits, and newly installed protection systems that need acceptance testing. After a fire or explosion, investigators walk the scene, photograph damage, and collect glass, metal fragments, charred wood, and accelerant residue, then bag or crate that evidence so it stays intact. They write reports, keep records on arson suspects, and may testify in court. It suits people who like careful observation, written records, and piecing together physical evidence to decide what started a fire.
Typical education: Post-Secondary Certificate (vocational/technical)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$75'920
Median Wage Market Position
$75'920
What you might do
- Inspect buildings for hazards and code violations
- Gather evidence from fire and explosion scenes
- Determine the probable cause of a fire
- Photograph damage and clues at fire scenes
- Test newly installed fire protection systems
- Testify in court about fires and arson
Skills that matter
- Tracing the cause of fires and explosions
- Packaging evidence in sealed containers
- Acceptance testing of new fire systems
- Inspection reports and arson-suspect records
- Court testimony on fires and false alarms
- Finding blocked exits and wiring hazards
AI & the future of this role
On-site hazard checks and fire-cause work still rely on physical evidence, legal standards, and courtroom-ready judgment. Software might speed code lookups or pattern analysis, yet enforcement and liability keep humans central.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details