Fire Inspectors

Many fire departments have volunteer programs. Find out if there are any in your area and sign up to volunteer if you meet their requirements. Keep in good physical shape because this is important for any fire-safety professional. You can also add to your skills by taking CPR and first-aid classes. Read Fire Engineering (http://www.fireengineering.com) to learn more about fire prevention techniques. Ask your teacher or counselor to arrange a presentation by a fire inspector.

Those who are in sixth grade through age 20 can participate in the Learning for Life program (https://www.exploring.org/fire-ems), which is affiliated with Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America). Participants in its Fire & EMS Exploring program learn about fire service careers through classroom training and hands-on activities. Both young men and women may participate.

Participate in information interviews with fire inspectors. In such an interview—which can be conducted in-person, on the phone, or through video-conferencing technology—you will get the opportunity to ask fire inspectors about their job duties, work environment, likes and dislikes about their careers, educational training, and other topics that will help you to learn more about the field. Ask your school counselor or a teacher to help you set up information interviews. Perhaps you could job-shadow a fire inspector to learn even more about the field.