According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects. | 97% |
| Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms. | 96% |
| Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them. | 95% |
| Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems. | 93% |
| Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion. | 92% |
| Subpoena and interview witnesses, property owners, and building occupants to obtain information and sworn testimony. | 92% |
| Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings. | 92% |
| Inspect buildings to locate hazardous conditions and fire code violations, such as accumulations of combustible material, electrical wiring problems, and inadequate or non-functional fire exits. | 91% |
| 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. | 91% |
| Instruct children about the dangers of fire. | 90% |
| Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found. | 90% |
| Inspect properties that store, handle, and use hazardous materials to ensure compliance with laws, codes, and regulations, and issue hazardous materials permits to facilities found in compliance. | 88% |
| Conduct internal investigation to determine negligence and violation of laws and regulations by fire department employees. | 88% |
| Write detailed reports of fire inspections performed, fire code violations observed, and corrective recommendations offered. | 88% |
| Identify corrective actions necessary to bring properties into compliance with applicable fire codes, laws, regulations, and standards, and explain these measures to property owners or their representatives. | 87% |
| Test sites and materials to establish facts, such as burn patterns and flash points of materials, using test equipment. | 87% |
| Develop or review fire exit plans. | 86% |
| Inspect and test fire protection or fire detection systems to verify that such systems are installed in accordance with appropriate laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards. | 86% |
| Coordinate efforts with other organizations, such as law enforcement agencies. | 85% |
| Attend training classes to maintain current knowledge of fire prevention, safety, and firefighting procedures. | 85% |
| Review blueprints and plans for new or remodeled buildings to ensure the structures meet fire safety codes. | 84% |
| Dust evidence or portions of fire scenes for latent fingerprints. | 82% |
| Teach fire investigation techniques to other firefighter personnel. | 81% |
| Arrange for the replacement of defective fire fighting equipment and for repair of fire alarm and sprinkler systems, making minor repairs such as servicing fire extinguishers when feasible. | 80% |
| Conduct fire exit drills to monitor and evaluate evacuation procedures. | 79% |
| Issue permits for public assemblies. | 79% |
| Supervise staff, training them, planning their work, and evaluating their performance. | 78% |
| Teach public education programs on fire safety and prevention. | 77% |
| Develop and coordinate fire prevention programs, such as false alarm billing, fire inspection reporting, and hazardous materials management. | 76% |
| Recommend changes to fire prevention, inspection, and fire code endorsement procedures. | 73% |
