What Do Fire Investigators Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Fire Investigators conduct investigations to determine causes of fires and explosions. They also prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.
• Subpoena and interview witnesses, property owners, and building occupants to obtain information and sworn testimony.
• 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.

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

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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, Fire Investigators analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion. They instruct children about the dangers of fire.

A typical day for a Fire Investigator will also include:

• Coordinate efforts with other organizations, such as law enforcement agencies.
• Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.
• Subpoena and interview witnesses, property owners, and building occupants to obtain information and sworn testimony.
• Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.
• Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.

We asked some Fire Investigators 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?	100% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	70% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	71% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	90% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	9% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	64% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Fire Investigators also prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects. They may also coordinate efforts with other organizations, such as law enforcement agencies.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Fire Investigators Instruct children about the dangers of fire. They might also Subpoena and interview witnesses, property owners, and building occupants to obtain information and sworn testimony.

In addition, they Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Teach fire investigation techniques to other firefighter personnel.

To some Fire Investigators, it is also their responsibility to Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Fire Investigator, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

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 working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/protective-service/fire-inspectors-and-investigators.htm

http://www.atf.gov/

https://www.fbi.gov/

http://www.nfpa.org/