Description
Lead jurisdiction-wide fire prevention, code enforcement, and fire investigation programs; oversee inspections, permitting, and public education; coordinate multi-agency responses and legal actions; and determine or supervise determination of the causes of fires and explosions.
- • Oversee and enforce fire codes, ordinances, and state laws across the jurisdiction.
- • Direct inspections of buildings and occupancies for hazards and violations.
- • Lead or supervise investigations to determine the cause and origin of fires and explosions.
- • Analyze evidence and investigative findings to establish probable cause.
- • Ensure evidence is collected, photographed, packaged, and preserved according to protocol.
- • Prepare, review, and maintain investigation and inspection reports, including arson registries.
- • Testify in court and administrative hearings; coordinate with prosecutors and law enforcement.
- • Issue citations, notices of violation, and orders to comply; recommend corrective actions.
- • Conduct and approve fire code compliance follow-ups.
- • Review and approve building plans and fire protection system submittals for code compliance.
- • Oversee acceptance testing of new fire detection and suppression systems.
- • Inspect and permit hazardous materials facilities and operations.
- • Issue permits for public assemblies and special events; set occupancy limits.
- • Develop and enforce evacuation plans and conduct fire exit drills.
- • Coordinate multi-agency operations during major incidents and investigations.
- • Teach and mentor investigators, inspectors, and firefighter personnel in fire prevention and investigation.
- • Develop and deliver public education programs on fire and life safety.
- • Recommend and implement changes to codes, ordinances, policies, and procedures.
- • Manage program budgets, records, and performance metrics.
- • Arrange for repair or replacement of defective fire protection equipment under department purview.
- • Attend and provide training to maintain current knowledge of fire prevention, investigation, and safety.
- • Subpoena and interview witnesses, property owners, and occupants.
- • Conduct internal investigations related to fire department code enforcement and investigative practices.
- • Test materials and sites to establish burn patterns and ignition properties using proper equipment.
- • Coordinate with building, planning, and emergency management departments on community risk reduction.
- • Supervise staff, assign work, and evaluate performance.
- • Develop and manage programs for false alarm reduction, inspection reporting, and hazardous materials management.
- • Ensure compliance with evidence handling, fingerprint collection, and chain-of-custody standards.
- • Monitor trends in fire incidents and hazards to drive targeted prevention initiatives.
- • Ensure NIMS/ICS compliance and maintain liaison with regional and state fire marshals.
Related specializations
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Public Service & Safety
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
