Careers in Fire Science range from highly physical and often dangerous work as a Fire Fighter, to a much less physical but often challenging career as a Fire Insurance Underwriter. However, all of these careers have in common a focus on fire safety or fire risk management.

Education and training requirements for Fire Science careers vary widely. Fire Fighters, for example, will benefit from an excellent level of physical fitness and a strong commitment to public service while Fire Equipment Designers and Industrial Fire Safety Consultants need much more technically-oriented skills and education.

Fire Fighters do not require more than a high school education; however completing community college courses or a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science can improve career opportunities significantly, particularly as increasing numbers of new Fire Fighters have some form of post-secondary education.

Fire Fighters who wish to advance to senior positions will require a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science or a related field. Fire Fighters must also have at least a Basic level of Emergency Medical Technician training.

Fire Insurance Underwriters should hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Business Administration, with courses in accounting. Specialized education in Fire Science or related subjects is typically not necessary.

Other Fire Science careers, such as Industrial Fire Safety Consultant and Fire Equipment Designer, require applicants hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as Fire Science or Fire Protection Engineering.

The outlook for Fire Fighters is good, with employment in this field expected to grow at a faster-than-average rate over the next five to seven years. However, the field is highly competitive, and applicants with post-secondary qualifications and a high level of physical fitness will have the best career opportunities. Fire Fighters may earn between $30,000 and $90,000 depending on their level of experience and rank.

Employment of Insurance Underwriters is expected to increase at a slower-than-average rate, with around 8% growth through to the year 2014. Fire Insurance Underwriters may earn between $40,000 and $90,000 depending on their level of experience and degree of specialization.

Industrial Fire Safety Consultants have highly variable salaries, as their work is performed on a consultancy basis, but can expect to earn at least $40,000 annually, with much higher salaries possible for corporate consultants. Fire Equipment Designers may earn between $40,000 and $90,000 or more depending on their level of seniority, training and level of experience.

Fire Fighters help to protect people and property by responding to emergency situations Most often they respond to fire emergencies, but may also respond to traffic accidents and medical emergencies. They work in a variety of different settings, including rural and urban locations.

Fire Fighters work in shifts, and during a shift must be prepared to attend emergency scenes as quickly as possible. At an emergency scene, Fire Fighters perform tasks such as connecting hose lines to fire hydrants, operating water pumps, positioning ladders, rescuing victims and providing emergency medical treatment.

Fire Fighters must have certain physical attributes including strength, stamina, fitness and coordination. They must also have a good level of mental alertness, courage, initiative, mechanical aptitude, and be able to think and react quickly in dangerous situations. In addition, they must be able to work well as part of a coordinated team.

A career in Fire Prevention involves studying and improving methods of fire protection and fire protection, and working with organizations and companies to improve their fire safety procedures and equipment. This may involve

• evaluating current fire safety practices and procedures
• making recommendations for improvement
• recommendations for purchasing equipment

Fire Prevention workers may also be involved in collaborating with architects and other construction design workers to provide advice on fire safety codes and compliance for new buildings.

Fire Prevention should have good analytical, problem-detection and problem-solving skills, as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills. They should be adept at applying theoretical knowledge to practical situations, and explaining potentially complex subjects to laypeople.

Fire Insurance Underwriters work for insurance companies, and analyze insurance data to determine the level of risk associated in providing fire insurance for a given client. They also determine premium rates, and write policies to provide coverage for clients.

Fire Insurance Underwriters analyze a variety of different types of information to calculate risk and determine appropriate premium charges. They analyze this data using computer programs called ‘smart systems’, which enable them to calculate risk and determine whether or not to insure a given client. Their role within an insurance company is crucial, because their decisions influence the company’s financial success and stability.

Fire Insurance Underwriters must have excellent analytical skills, a good understanding of statistics and statistical analysis, and good attention to detail. They should also have good decision-making skills and written and verbal communication skills.

Fire Equipment Designers design fire safety and fire fighting equipment such as protective clothing, fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, and fire extinguishers. Fire Equipment Designers must focus on creating equipment and systems that are efficient, effective, durable, reliable, and easy or intuitive to operate and repair.

Fire Equipment Designers may be involved in one of two areas of Fire Equipment Design. They may design individual pieces of equipment, or design fire alarm and suppression systems for new and existing buildings. In both cases, they must ensure they design equipment and systems that meet current fire safety and equipment codes, are tailored for specific situations and locations, work in a variety of conditions, and can be deployed and operated quickly.

Fire Equipment Designers must have a certain degree of creativity, but more importantly should be able to detect and solve potentially complex design problems. They should have excellent problem-detection and problem-solving skills, as well as good analytical and communication skills.

Industrial Fire Safety Consultants are hired by builders, companies, landlords and employers to provide advice on fire safety procedures and equipment required to meet building and safety codes. They may work on both existing buildings and new construction, with the goal of ensuring the building they work on meets fire safety standards.

In the course of their work on a particular project, an Industrial Fire Safety Consultant must identify fire hazards that apply in a given location or building, and provide recommendations on minimizing risks, and designing systems that will prevent or limit the risk and spread of fire, and that meet safety regulations. They may also be involved in providing training for staff members or employees who work in a building.

Industrial Fire Safety Consultants should have excellent problem-detection, problem-solving, and analytical skills, with both an eye for detail and the ability to see the ‘big picture’ of a project. They should also have good written and verbal communication skills, and be able to explain complicated concepts and subjects to people who do not have their level of expert knowledge.