Aspiring FPEs should complete at least one internship or cooperative educational experience at a company or government agency that employs fire protection engineers.
Fire protection engineers must be good team players because they work closely with architects, designers, contractors, engineers of other disciplines, state and local building officials, and local fire professionals. Other important traits include excellent problem-solving and organizational skills, a detail-oriented personality, and strong communication and analytical abilities.
Fire protection engineers must have knowledge of the fundamentals of fire suppression system design and alternative fire suppression systems (such as gas suppression, water mist, and oxygen reduction systems), an understanding of U.S. and international fire codes and design standards, and skill using fire dynamics simulators and related software.
- Airport Security Personnel
- Bail Bondsmen
- Bodyguards
- Border Patrol Agents
- Bounty Hunters
- Construction Inspectors
- Corrections Officers
- Crime Analysts
- Customs Officials
- Deputy U.S. Marshals
- Detectives
- Directors of Security
- Emergency Management Directors
- Emergency Medical Technicians
- Emergency Services Dispatchers
- FBI Agents
- Fire Inspectors
- Fire Investigators
- Fire Safety Directors
- Fire Safety Technicians
- Firefighters
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Forensic Experts
- Forest Fire Prevention Specialists
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators, and Analysts
- Genetic Genealogists
- Intelligence Officers
- Park Rangers
- Parole Officers
- Police Officers
- Polygraph Examiners
- Secret Service Special Agents
- Security Consultants
- Security Guards
- Wildland Firefighters