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Career Details : Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

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Description

Enforce fire regulations and inspect for forest fire hazards. Report forest fires and weather conditions.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty.

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Tasks

  • Inspects forest tracts and logging areas for fire hazards, such as accumulated wastes, mishandling of combustibles, or defective exhaust systems.
  • Locates forest fires on area map, using azimuth sighter and known landmarks.
  • Relays messages relative to emergencies, accidents, location of crew and personnel, weather forecasts, and fire hazard conditions.
  • Patrols and maintains surveillance, looking for forest fires, hazardous conditions, and weather phenomena.
  • Inspects camp sites to ensure camper compliance with forest use regulations.
  • Estimates size and characteristics of fire and reports findings to base camp by radio or telephone.
  • Gives directives and instructions regarding sanitation, fire prevention, violation corrections, and related forest regulations.
  • Examines and inventories fire-fighting equipment, such as axes, fire hoses, shovels, pumps, buckets, and fire extinguishers, to determine amount and condition.
  • Gives directions to crew on fire line during forest fire.
  • Extinguishes smaller fires with portable extinguisher, shovel, and ax.
  • Maintains records and logbooks.
  • Directs maintenance and repair of fire-fighting equipment and requisitions new equipment.
  • Restricts public access and recreational use of forest lands during critical fire season.
  • Observes instruments and reports meteorological data, such as temperature, relative humidity, wind direction and velocity, and types of cloud formations.

    Related Careers

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Responsible for Others' Health & Safety
    • Consequence of Error
    • Job-Required Social Interaction
    • Frustrating Circumstances
    • Importance of Being Sure All Is Done

    Related Majors

    Major Add to MyFSA
    Environmental Protection Scienceadd Environmental Protection Science to MyFSA
    Fire Administration Managementadd Fire Administration Management to MyFSA
    Fire Protection Administration/Technologyadd Fire Protection Administration/Technology to MyFSA
    Fire Scienceadd Fire Science to MyFSA
    Fire Science/Public Safetyadd Fire Science/Public Safety to MyFSA
    Fire Services Administrationadd Fire Services Administration to MyFSA
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