Will AI replace Fire Inspectors and Investigators?

AI can do 45% of the work Fire Inspectors and Investigators do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 15 of them. 15 still need a person.

AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.

AI could do this next15 · 45% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Write detailed reports of fire inspections performed, fire code violations observed, and corrective recommendations offered.11% of time
  • 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.5% of time
  • Review blueprints and plans for new or remodeled buildings to ensure the structures meet fire safety codes.5% of time
  • Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.4% of time
  • 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.4% of time
  • Coordinate efforts with other organizations, such as law enforcement agencies.2% of time
  • Teach public education programs on fire safety and prevention.2% of time
  • Subpoena and interview witnesses, property owners, and building occupants to obtain information and sworn testimony.2% of time
  • Develop and coordinate fire prevention programs, such as false alarm billing, fire inspection reporting, and hazardous materials management.2% of time
  • Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.1% of time
  • Instruct children about the dangers of fire.1% of time
  • Develop or review fire exit plans.1% of time
  • Teach fire investigation techniques to other firefighter personnel.1% of time
  • Recommend changes to fire prevention, inspection, and fire code endorsement procedures.1% of time
  • Issue permits for public assemblies.1% of time

Still needs a person15 · 55% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • 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.18% of time
  • Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found.6% of time
  • Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.5% of time
  • 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.5% of time
  • 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.5% of time
  • Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.4% of time
  • Attend training classes to maintain current knowledge of fire prevention, safety, and firefighting procedures.4% of time
  • Supervise staff, training them, planning their work, and evaluating their performance.2% of time
  • Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.1% of time
  • Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.1% of time
  • Conduct fire exit drills to monitor and evaluate evacuation procedures.1% of time
  • Test sites and materials to establish facts, such as burn patterns and flash points of materials, using test equipment.1% of time
  • 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.1% of time
  • Conduct internal investigation to determine negligence and violation of laws and regulations by fire department employees.under 1% of time
  • Dust evidence or portions of fire scenes for latent fingerprints.under 1% of time

Your week is not the average

Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.

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What this means

AI can do most of this work faster, but a real part of the job still needs a person. Real use is still behind at 0 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. The people who learn which tasks to hand off will pull ahead.

What to do next

  • Get ahead on the 15 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Build on the 15 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists62%Firefighters13%Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators46%Security Guards44%Crossing Guards and Flaggers47%Retail Loss Prevention Specialists49%

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