Fire Science

The fire science degree is a very specific degree for those who are interested in pursuing a career related firefighting, fire protection, and fire prevention. Fire science degree holders have devoted a lot of their academic career to understanding the physics of fire and how to manage fire. Because of their in-depth knowledge of fire, graduates of fire science programs gain jobs in public safety, law enforcement, government, health care, and the insurance field. They also can get leadership positions on emergency response teams in the public and private sectors. Because of the nature of fire danger, these jobs are necessary, which makes a fire science degree a good investment for your career.

Common Career Paths:

Fire Fighter

Because we have a relatively fixed and simplified idea regarding what exactly a career fire fighter does, it's somewhat easy to overlook how varied and diverse this career path truly is. Yes, fire fighters are most famous for responding to fire emergencies; however, they also engage in other activities. They are often first to respond to the scenes of car accidents and natural disasters. They work to expand public awareness of personal fire safety by visiting schools and community centers. Certain fire fighters train to deal with hazardous waste emergencies and forest fires. The opportunities that fire fighters have before them are many. Most fire fighters earn a high school diploma; however, now those who earn a degree in fire science have better career options and are more often sought out by departments looking to hire career fire fighters who can take on many responsibilities. In addition to having a degree in fire science, fire fighters undergo training in a fire fighting academy, where they put to real practice the concepts they learned while earning their degree. Fire fighters also often earn Emergency Medical Technician certification to prepare them to help injured victims. Fire fighters constantly train while on the job so that they can be as prepared as possible to respond to emergencies. Despite the fact that this career is full of hard work and sacrifice, fire fighters are actually expected to have good employment prospects in the next few years, though job candidates face stiff competition. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that employment for fire fighters will grow over 19 percent in the next ten years. For 2008, fire fighters earned an average salary of $44,260.

Fire Inspector

Fire inspectors travel around the areas of their jurisdiction and examine businesses and other buildings and areas in which people gather to make sure that these places are up to local and state fire code standards. They check exits and entrances, test fire extinguishers and other preventive systems, and make sure proper procedures are implemented during fire drills. Fire inspectors also evaluate and approve plans for new buildings, and they inspect buildings under construction to make sure that any new construction is up to code. If fire fighters respond to a fire after it has started in order to protect people, then fire inspectors are responsible for the safety of the public before a fire breaks out. In order to successfully do this, many fire inspectors earn a high school diploma plus a degree in fire science. They also receive certification and on the job training as they work to ensure that they keep up with current safety codes. Forest fire inspectors shift their focus slightly towards the prevention of forest fires and inspecting the land for indicators that forest fires could be imminent. The Bureau for Labor Statistics projects that fire inspectors will grow on average as fast as other industries; job prospects will probably match the pace of urban development and growth as more buildings need to be inspected. Competition for these jobs will, unfortunately, be stiff, so it makes sense to make your candidacy as attractive as possible by earning a degree in fire science. In May of 2008, the Bureau found that fire inspectors made around $55,000 annually for the work they did.

Fire Investigator

While fire inspectors examine factors that could lead to fires or affect what happens if a fire occurs, fire investigators basically look into what caused a fire. They interview witnesses, examine and catalogue evidence, and write up reports as to what they believe caused the fire. They are especially useful in cases in which arson or other criminal activity is thought to have led to the creation of the fire. Like fire inspectors, fire investigators also generally earn a high school diploma before taking the job; however, they can improve their chances of receiving a job offer if they have studied fire science and earned a bachelor's degree in that field. In addition to what they learned during their degree program, successful fire investigators constantly receive on-the-job training in order to stay current with fire investigation methods. As for the job outlook for this career path, employment opportunities for fire investigators are projected to be as fast as the average for other industries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Candidates for these job openings, however, will face stiff competition, and so they are advised to earn a degree in fire safety to improve their standing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fire investigators made an average of $53,030 in annual salary as of May 2008, while their counterparts in the forest fires division made slightly less at around $30,000.