What are Popular Careers in Fire Safety?
While not as adventurous as a career in firefighting, fire safety and prevention offers important and challenging positions. Careers in fire safety draw from several areas, including engineering and investigation.
<h3 id="section---EmploymentOpportunities">Employment Opportunities</h3>
<p>From designing fire safety plans to investigating arson fires, there are a number of options available to those interested in a fire safety career. Fire safety deals with the prevention of fires and the safeguarding of human lives, property, and artifacts against fire damage and loss.
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<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutFireInspectorsAndInvestigators">Important Facts About Fire Inspectors and Investigators</h3>
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<table border="1"><tr><td> Required Education </td><td> High school diploma or equivalent and previous fire and/or police department work experience</td></tr>
<tr><td> Work Environment</td><td> Office settings and field work</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 6% growth</td></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $64,600</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---CareerOptions">Career Options</h3>
<p>The following list contains a few of the most popular careers in fire safety:
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<h3 id="section---Engineer">Engineer</h3>
<p>Fire safety engineers, also known as fire protection engineers, design systems for preventing and controlling fires. They might typically be involved in the creation of smoke alarm systems, fire alarm systems or sprinkler systems. Fire safety engineers study fire behavior and how fires impact many types of buildings. They might also work on building designs with architects, contractors, and building officials.
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<h3 id="section---Inspector">Inspector</h3>
<p>A fire safety inspector often works for federal or state agencies. Fire safety inspectors conduct inspections on many types of public and commercial buildings to ensure compliance with fire safety codes and regulations. Fire safety inspectors might also conduct inspections on large residential housing complexes.
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<h3 id="section---Director">Director</h3>
<p>Some cities require that a fire safety director work in large facilities, such as hotels or high-rise office buildings. A fire safety director creates fire safety plans. The duties of such a director include creating evacuation routes, implementing fire notification processes, and conducting training programs and drills.
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<h3 id="section---Investigator">Investigator</h3>
<p>Some who choose to study fire safety might pursue a career as a fire or arson investigator. These individuals are familiar with building construction and fire safety systems. Fire investigators determine the causes of a fire, why preventative plans might have failed, and how to make improvements in the future.</p>