Will AI Replace Fire Inspectors and Investigators?

Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Inspect buildings to locate hazardous conditions and fire code violations, such as accumulations of combustible material, electrical wiring problems, and inadequate or non-functional fire exits.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Examine fire sites and collect evidence such as glass, metal fragments, charred wood, and accelerant residue for use in determining the cause of a fire.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Instruct children about the dangers of fire.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Inspect properties that store, handle, and use hazardous materials to ensure compliance with laws, codes, and regulations, and issue hazardous materials permits to facilities found in compliance.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Write detailed reports of fire inspections performed, fire code violations observed, and corrective recommendations offered.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Identify corrective actions necessary to bring properties into compliance with applicable fire codes, laws, regulations, and standards, and explain these measures to property owners or their representatives.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Develop or review fire exit plans.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Inspect and test fire protection or fire detection systems to verify that such systems are installed in accordance with appropriate laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Coordinate efforts with other organizations, such as law enforcement agencies.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Attend training classes to maintain current knowledge of fire prevention, safety, and firefighting procedures.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Review blueprints and plans for new or remodeled buildings to ensure the structures meet fire safety codes.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Teach fire investigation techniques to other firefighter personnel.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Conduct fire exit drills to monitor and evaluate evacuation procedures.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Teach public education programs on fire safety and prevention.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Recommend changes to fire prevention, inspection, and fire code endorsement procedures.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Subpoena and interview witnesses, property owners, and building occupants to obtain information and sworn testimony.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Conduct internal investigation to determine negligence and violation of laws and regulations by fire department employees.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Test sites and materials to establish facts, such as burn patterns and flash points of materials, using test equipment.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Dust evidence or portions of fire scenes for latent fingerprints.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Arrange for the replacement of defective fire fighting equipment and for repair of fire alarm and sprinkler systems, making minor repairs such as servicing fire extinguishers when feasible.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Issue permits for public assemblies.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Supervise staff, training them, planning their work, and evaluating their performance.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Develop and coordinate fire prevention programs, such as false alarm billing, fire inspection reporting, and hazardous materials management.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.