Employment

Applying For A Job As A Fire Investigator:
What Corporate Employers Want

There are many opportunities for young people to enter the field of fire investigation. There are jobs in city, county, state and federal governments. In addition, there are opportunities within the Special Investigation Units (SIU’s) of insurance companies and also with private investigation firms that offer investigative services to the corporate and insurance world.

On the private side of the fire investigation business the industry is very competitive, and clients expect to be furnished with investigators who have a lot of fire investigation experience, training and education. Many clients of private investigation companies often request “battle tested” investigators who have proven to be effective in court.

Insurance companies frequently litigate against each other to determine who the responsible party was for a fire. The subrogation efforts often end with fire experts, engineers and other forensic scientists testifying in court. Often there are millions of dollars at stake for an insurance company, and no company wants an inexperienced or improperly trained investigator handling such critical situations. In short, insurance companies want their experts to have gravitas and the ability to express opinions and present factual data that will hold up against other experts and in court.

Most private fire investigation companies recruit from government agencies. They are seeking applicants who have already received very extensive and expensive training and have many years of experience in fire investigation. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of applicants who fit these criteria. Twenty years on a fire truck or sitting behind a desk in fire or police administration does not prepare one for the job of fire investigator.

Some companies will take on trainees right out of college, but most private companies do not want to become a means to an end for someone wanting to start his or her own business. Companies want long-term employees. An applicant with many short-term jobs may have difficulty convincing a potential employer that he or she is a good job risk. I once had an applicant who stated that his reason for wanting the job was “So I can gain more experience in fire investigation”. The “I attitude” does not work well when job hunting; most employers can see the future risk for their company.

The “dream applicant” for a private fire investigation company would have a degree in fire investigation and have criminal investigation experience and training as a fire investigator. He or she would have high integrity and a clear background without any criminal history. Private fire investigators have to obtain private investigation licenses in the states in which they work and most states deny those licenses to anyone with a criminal record.

The “dream applicant” would be eager to learn and willing to persevere. He or she would have a good attitude and work ethic. Years ago I interviewed an inexperienced and under-trained fire investigator applicant whom we initially were going to turn down for employment. He could tell he did not do well during the interview and, when he got to the door to leave, he turned and said, “I may not be the best fire investigator now and I may not have the experience and training you desire, but I can tell you one day I will be the best there is.” I hired the person on the spot, and over the years saw to it that he received the training and experience he wanted. His statement and attitude got him the job, and I was not disappointed! Attitude is not a condition, it is a decision.

The “dream” applicant we have been describing would have also continued his or her education by attending fire school classes and seminars. When screening an applicant, we actually count the number of fire investigation schools the applicant has attended and notice which ones they are. Some are better than others; any fire investigation taught by the National Fire Academy adds weight to the resume.

The ideal applicant would have certification as a fire investigator. Unfortunately, some certifications are so easy to obtain that about all they do is add legitimacy to marginally competent people. Many clients of private investigation companies, however, require some type of certification before they will use a person as a fire investigator. Fire investigation companies are often willing to underwrite certification training if the applicant is strong.

On the private side of the fire investigation business, appearance is very important (and it does not hurt to have gray hair). The insurance industry is a very conservative one and is simply not going to hire an expert with a purple and pink Mohawk haircut or a nose ring. Insurance companies are looking for professional, educated, articulate fire experts who also look and sound professional. Fashion statements and demonstrations of “personal” style have no place on the job.

“Location, location, location” is the mantra of realtors. But it applies to private-sector fire investigation as well. It is a statistical fact that fires occur more often in densely populated areas. Accordingly, the ideal applicant would already reside in a highly populated area or be willing to relocate to a large metropolitan area. A candidate already domiciled in a good area is more desirable than one who has to relocate, since the local candidate most likely already has contacts who will be valuable to him or her in the new job.

In the private side of the business, the fire investigator routinely drives farther to conduct fire investigations than a city or county employee does. The ideal candidate would have good transportation and not mind occasional long road trips. If a fire scene is farther than 200 miles from the candidate’s residence, then flying is more practical. Being accessible to a large airport, therefore, is desirable and timesaving when air travel is necessary.

Needless to say, the dream applicant does not come along very often, but when one does he or she is highly sought-after by many companies. In the absence of the dream applicant most companies seek people who have the potential to become good fire investigators.

For a person majoring in fire investigation in college or a university, joining a fire department would be of benefit in gaining experience. Many volunteer fire departments offer excellent opportunities for both experience and additional training. The college student should also join professional fire investigation organizations such as the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) and the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI). Participation in local fire investigation organizations such as State Chapters of the IAAI or other local investigative organizations is also a benefit.

Everyone in the fire investigation business has worked his or her very first fire at one time. We have all been inexperienced at one time and most of us still remember that first fire we worked on our own. Inexperience is only a temporary problem and can and will be solved with determination. Working with that experienced “battle tested” investigator (if you can latch onto one) is a great help.

If you are not the ideal candidate for fire investigator in the private sector (and that is the course you want to take in your career) the right attitude, determination and a good work ethic will gain you the training, education and experience you need to become the best.

Carter D. Roberts, President/CEO
Unified Investigations & Sciences, Inc.