DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
33-2021 Fire Inspectors and Investigators
Occupational Description:
Inspect buildings to detect fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state laws, or investigate and gather facts to determine cause of fires and explosions.| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Northwest Balance of State | N/A | N/A | N/A | $1.71/hr | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Minnesota | 120 | 7 | $36.42/hr | $0.76/hr | $26.64/hr | $31.46/hr | $36.34/hr | $41.17/hr | $48.30/hr |
| U S | 13,710 | 411 | $31.68/hr | $0.41/hr | $18.64/hr | $23.52/hr | $30.18/hr | $38.26/hr | $47.18/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change - | |
| Compliance Officers, Except Agriculture, Construction, Health and Safety, and Transportation | 290 | $37.77/hr | N/A |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 100 | $37.27/hr | N/A |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | N/A | $43.81/hr | N/A |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Tasks for Fire Inspectors and Investigators
- Inspects interiors and exteriors of buildings to detect hazardous conditions or violations of fire codes.
- Issues permits and summons, and enforces fire codes.
- Tests equipment, such as gasoline storage tanks, air compressors, and fire-extinguishing and fire protection equipment to ensure conformance to fire and safety codes.
- Discusses violations and unsafe conditions with facility representative, makes recommendations, and instructs in fire safety practices.
- Prepares reports, such as inspections performed, code violations, and recommendations for eliminating fire hazards.
- Gives first aid in emergencies.
- Collects fees for permits and licenses.
- Examines site and collects evidence to gather information relating to cause of fire, explosion, or false alarm.
- Photographs damage and evidence relating to cause of fire or explosion, for future reference.
- Subpoenas and interviews witnesses, property owners, and building occupants to obtain information and sworn testimony.
- Conducts internal investigation to determine negligence and violation of laws and regulations by fire department employees.
- Analyzes evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.
- Tests site and materials to establish facts, such as burn patterns and flash points of materials, using test equipment.
- Prepares and maintains reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.
- Swears out warrants and arrests, logs, fingerprints, and detains suspected arsonists.
- Testifies in court for cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.
- Instructs children about dangers of fire.
