CITY OF SALISBURY

 

               FIRE INVESTIGATION/INSPECTION OFFICER

 

DEFINITION

 

To perform duties in the planning, organization, and implementation for a program to reduce fire losses through public education, building inspections, and preparation of pre-fire plans.

 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

 

Receives direction from the Fire Chief.

 

Exercises direct supervision over assigned technical staff; functional and technical supervision over assigned technical staff; and functional and technical supervision over assigned fire employees.

 

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES - Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

Conduct routines and follow up fire inspections within the City.

 

Perform site inspections and issue burning permits.

 

Supervise and perform pre-fire planning.

 

Conduct State inspections on facilities such as family care, foster care and day care centers.

 

Perform or supervise all City school inspections for the State.

 

Conduct residential and chimney inspections.

 

Supervise or perform fire cause and origin determinations.

 

Investigate and take appropriate action on hazardous material incidents.

 

Supervise or investigate all arson cases.

 

Review and approve plans for underground tanks and lines (installation and removal).

 

Review all major building plans for construction or renovation.

 

Teach fire safety and evacuation procedures in nursing homes, industries and City schools.

 

 

Schedule and conduct fire drills in City schools.

 


CITY OF SALISBURY

Fire Investigation/Inspection Officer (continued)

 

 

Investigate fire related complaints from citizens and industry.

 

Investigate false fire alarm calls.

 

Interview and counsel juvenile fire setters.

 

Assist City Code Inspector in upgarding hazardous conditions in City housing.

 

Assist in designing fire protection systems which the City in compliance with Insurance Service Organization requirements.

 

Furnish City employees with information regarding how to identify and store/handle materials used in the work place which fall under the Right to Know Act.

 

Represent Fire Department on City Annexation Team.

 

Assist City Attorney in researching, drafting and writing City Ordinances regarding fire service.

 

Advise business and industry in the development of policies and procedures to be in compliance with State and Federal laws and requirements.

 

Represent City Fire Department on Rowan County Hazardous Materials Advisory Council.

 

Represent City Fire Department on City Technical Review Committee.

 

Develop annual pesticide contingency plan in accordance with State regulations for businesses.

 

Plan, organize and supervise annual Fire Prevention Week activities.

 

Participate in Wellness Program.

 

Respond to job call back to supervise secondary staging area on call back alarms after working hours and/or on weekends.

 

Alternate on-call arson duty with the Fire Investigation/ Inspection Specialist.

 

Perform related duties as assigned.

 

 

 

 


CITY OF SALISBURY

Fire Investigation/Inspection Officer (continued)

 

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

            Knowledge of:

 

            Pertinent Federal, State and local fire laws, codes and             regulations including Life Safety Codes.

 

            Methods and techniques of fire scene investigation.

 

            Local and State burning laws and permit system.

 

            Principles, practices, and procedures of fire prevention.

 

            Operation of fire scene investigation equipment.

 

            Hazardous materials and their safe handling.

 

            Methods and techniques of water flow calculations.

 

            Sound building design, construction and engineering practices.

 

            Fire behavior and spread.

 

            Fire safety and evacuation practices.

 

            Fire Service Education trends and related educational             resource materials.

 

            Radio communication procedures.

 

            English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

 

            Report preparation techniques.

 

            Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.

 

            Ability to:

 

            Maintain physical condition as required.

 

            Conduct a fire scene investigation and determine a fire's origin and cause.


CITY OF SALISBURY

Fire Investigation/Inspection Officer (continued)

 

 

            Interpret and apply applicable Federal, State and local fire laws, codes and regulations.

 

            Read and interpret building plans and blueprints.

 

            Operate fire scene investigation and related equipment.

 

            Determine fire spread.

 

            Plan and implement an emergency plan of action.

 

            Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

 

            Gather, compile and document information for reports.

 

            Coordinate fire control personnel for the investigation of a fire scene.

 

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

 

Evaluate the fire related educational needs of the public, and plan and teach fire safety classes accordingly.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; sit; walk; talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.

 

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

           

 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

 

Any combination of education, experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

 

            Education:

 

            Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. 

CITY OF SALISBURY

Fire Investigation/Inspection Officer (continued)

 

 

            Experience:

 

Three years of responsible fire control experience.  One year of lead or supervisory experience is highly desirable.

 

            Training:

 

            Additional specialized training in fire scene investigation or a related field is desirable.

 

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

 

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate and valid North Carolina driver's license.

 

Possession of an appropriate and valid emergency medical technician certificate is desirable.

 

Possession of residential telephone service required.