What Do Forest Fire Inspectors Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Forest Fire Inspectors

Forest Fire Inspectors enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.

Salary
$52130
Becoming One
Medium
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job Description

Job Description

Forest Fire Inspectors enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions. They also relay messages about emergencies, accidents, locations of crew and personnel, and fire hazard conditions.

Other tasks include:

  • Conduct wildland firefighting training.
  • Estimate sizes and characteristics of fires, and report findings to base camps by radio or telephone.
  • Direct crews working on firelines during forest fires.
  • Locate forest fires on area maps, using azimuth sighters and known landmarks.
  • Extinguish smaller fires with portable extinguishers, shovels, and axes.
  • Patrol assigned areas, looking for forest fires, hazardous conditions, and weather phenomena.

We asked Forest Fire Inspectors how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

70%

How meaningful is this job

72%


70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 72% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Forest Fire Inspectors maintain records and logbooks. They compile and report meteorological data, such as temperature, relative humidity, wind direction and velocity, and types of cloud formations.

A typical day for a Forest Fire Inspector and Prevention Specialist will also include:

  • Patrol assigned areas, looking for forest fires, hazardous conditions, and weather phenomena.
  • Examine and inventory firefighting equipment, such as axes, fire hoses, shovels, pumps, buckets, and fire extinguishers, to determine amount and condition.
  • Relay messages about emergencies, accidents, locations of crew and personnel, and fire hazard conditions.
  • Direct crews working on firelines during forest fires.
  • Educate the public about fire safety and prevention.

We asked some Forest Fire Inspectors a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 91% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 12% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 68% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 52% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 8% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 25% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Forest Fire Inspectors also relay messages about emergencies, accidents, locations of crew and personnel, and fire hazard conditions. They may also inspect forest tracts and logging areas for fire hazards such as accumulated wastes or mishandling of combustibles, and recommend appropriate fire prevention measures.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Forest Fire Inspectors Locate forest fires on area maps, using azimuth sighters and known landmarks. They might also Direct crews working on firelines during forest fires.

In addition, they Estimate sizes and characteristics of fires, and report findings to base camps by radio or telephone.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Extinguish smaller fires with portable extinguishers, shovels, and axes.

To some Forest Fire Inspectors, it is also their responsibility to Educate the public about fire safety and prevention.


Working life

Working hours

More than 40 hours per week

Working schedule

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Forest Fire Inspector and Prevention Specialist, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Do Forest Fire Inspectors work in an office-style work environment?

Once a week
35%


Once a year
26%


Do Forest Fire Inspectors work outdoors?

Every day
68%


Once a week
27%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Builders and The Organizers

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Forest Fire Inspectors

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Related to Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists Job Description

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Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/protective-service/fire-inspectors-and-investigators.htm
http://www.atf.gov/
https://www.fbi.gov/
http://www.nfpa.org/


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