Fire Inspectors

Fire inspectors detect fire hazards, recommend prevention measures, ensure compliance with state and local fire codes, and investigate causes of fires.

Duties

Fire inspectors and investigators examine buildings and scenes of fires; forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists assess conditions for outdoor fire risks.

Fire inspectors and investigators typically do the following:

• Search buildings for fire hazards
• Review building blueprints with developers
• Ensure that existing buildings and designs comply with fire codes
• Conduct fire and safety education programs and review emergency evacuation plans
• Collect and analyze evidence from scenes of fires and explosions
• Testify in civil and criminal legal proceedings
• Work with law enforcement or exercise police powers, such as the power of arrest, and carry a weapon

Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists typically do the following:

• Patrol assigned areas to look for forest fires, hazardous conditions, and weather phenomena that pose wildfire risk
• Assist in wildfire suppression
• Operate, maintain, and repair firefighting equipment
• Review development proposals and inspect areas for nonconforming properties or structures
• Create and administer programs to educate the public about forest fire risks and prevention 

Fire inspectors and investigators examine buildings to look for fire hazards and study fire scenes to determine the cause of a fire. Inspectors visit homes, offices, hazardous materials storage facilities, or other buildings to enforce local ordinances and state laws. They may test fire alarms, sprinklers, and fire prevention equipment as part of their inspections. Investigators may have to clear and sort through debris at the scene of a fire or explosion for evidence such as glass, metal fragments, and accelerant residue. They analyze the evidence they collect and may interview witnesses as part of their investigation.

In some areas, inspectors also work as investigators.

Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists assess outdoor fire hazards in public and residential areas. Similar to fire inspectors who visit buildings, forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists look for fire code violations and for conditions that pose a fire risk. They also recommend ways to reduce fire hazards. During patrols, they enforce fire regulations, report fire conditions to their central command center, and extinguish small fires they encounter. For large fires, they may direct the efforts of wildland firefighters.

Fire inspectors, investigators, and prevention specialists keep detailed records of their inspections and investigations. Inspectors and prevention specialists identify infractions, document corrective action required, and conduct followup inspections to ensure compliance with instructions. Investigators document all the evidence from a fire scene to help determine the cause and may need to refer to their notes and files during legal proceedings.

Fire inspectors and investigators held about 14,700 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of fire inspectors and investigators were as follows:

Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists held about 2,900 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists were as follows:

Fire inspectors work both in office settings and onsite, including outdoors. Fire inspectors and investigators visit buildings, such as apartment complexes and industrial plants. Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists travel to natural environments, such as forests and fields.

During onsite visits, fire inspectors may work in poorly ventilated areas and be exposed to smoke, fumes, and other hazardous agents. They may wear personal protective equipment (PPE)—including coveralls, gloves, shoe covers, and safety glasses or goggles—to reduce exposure to harmful materials. Some must wear fully enclosed protective suits, often for several hours, which may make their work physically demanding and strenuous.

Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists spend much of their time outdoors.

Work Schedules

Most fire inspectors work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Their schedules may include evenings, weekends, and holidays because they must be ready to respond when fires occur.

To enter the occupation, fire inspectors typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent and work experience as a firefighter or in a related occupation. Once hired, they typically receive on-the-job-training in inspection and investigation. They also may need certification.

The median annual wage for fire inspectors and investigators was $78,060 in May 2024.

The median annual wage for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists was $52,380 in May 2024.

Overall employment of fire inspectors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 1,800 openings for fire inspectors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.