Fire Inspector Investigator Salary in Chicago, Illinois
This means that you may be employed by fire and police departments, private companies like insurance or claims management firms, and research labs. The minimum requirements to work as a fire and arson investigator are typically similar to those of other police officers. Fire and arson investigators may spend time working in laboratories and conducting experiments to learn more about how fires start and spread. They also study the effects of accelerants and the type of evidence they may leave, and share that information with other investigators. Most states and many local governments have established an investigative body to look into incidents of fire and arson. These agencies employ specially trained inspectors and investigators to root out the causes of fires to aid in future prevention and to bring criminals to justice.
Using the information they collect, a fire investigator will reconstruct the fire, including how and where the first started, whether any accelerant was used, and how the first likely spread. The fire investigator will also point to possible suspects if arson is suspected. As with any law enforcement or government occupation, arson investigators are expected to keep thorough records of their process and their findings in the form of reports. After completing their academic education, those interested in arson investigation will then be able to attend specialized academies and classes to supplement the on-the-job training.
The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research. Newly qualified Fire Investigators should expect to start their career with a salary that is lower than the UK average earnings for the role. It can take several years working as a Fire Investigator to achieve the average UK salary.
However, promotions and higher pay per year cannot always be achieved by remaining in the same department or company. Fingerprint technicians are forensic scientists who are specialists in the field of fingerprint identification. In order to become a firefighter, you need to participate in a recruitment fair organized by the fire department.
Arson investigators are often called on to describe their findings in court. These professionals are required to have strong critical-skills so they can analyze the evidence taken from a crime scene and figure out the cause of the incident. They should be able to determine how the fire started and should use their knowledge of the physical properties to figure out if it was intentional or accidental. Agencies typically require investigators to become Certified Fire Investigators and possess specialized training. Upon hire, novice arson investigators typically complete on-the-job training, working alongside a seasoned fire and arson investigator.
Arson investigators may also be called upon to testify as an expert witness in court about their findings. This is especially true if someone is charged with arson-related attorneys degree abbr crimes after being arrested by an arson investigator. Find out what an arson investigator does, how to get this job, and what it takes to succeed as an arson investigator.
In order to establish what caused a fire, arson inspectors collect evidence from the scene, interview witnesses and send evidence to the lab. The top earning state in the field is Idaho, where the average salary is $53.80. The top earning state in the field is Idaho, where the average salary is $9,250.
Once all aspiring arson investigators have completed their education, they need to start finding employment in their preferred field. Most arson investigators work for law enforcement agencies at both the state and national level. They also visit the scene of a fire and may be exposed to smoke, fumes, poor ventilation, and hazardous agents. Fire investigators require both justice training and knowledge of fire science. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms offers 2-year training fire investigation programs. Selected candidates can opt for advanced courses in fire sprinkler systems, fire growth, and computer modeling.