17 Fire Investigator Interview Questions and Answers

Fire investigators are responsible for determining the cause of a fire. They often work for insurance companies, the government, or fire departments. Fire investigators must have a strong understanding of fire science and arson investigation. They must also be able to collect and analyze evidence.

If you’re looking for a job as a fire investigator, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. During the interview, you’ll be asked a variety of questions about your experience, knowledge, and skills. You’ll also need to be able to sell your strengths to the interviewer.

To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of common fire investigator interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working in potentially dangerous situations?

Fire investigators often work in dangerous situations, and employers want to make sure you’re comfortable with that. They also want to know if you have any experience working in these types of environments. If you do, share a story about it. If not, explain why you would be willing to learn how to handle this type of situation.

Example: “I am very comfortable working in potentially dangerous situations. I worked as a firefighter for five years before becoming a fire investigator, so I’m used to the adrenaline rush and pressure of working in emergency situations. However, I understand that there are different types of danger involved in being a fire investigator. I am committed to learning all of the necessary skills to ensure my safety while performing my job.”

What are some of the most important skills for a fire investigator?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your skills and abilities as a fire investigator. They want to know what you feel are the most important skills for this role, so they can determine if you have them. When answering this question, think of some of the skills that you feel are essential for being a successful fire investigator. Try to choose skills that you possess or are willing to develop.

Example: “I believe one of the most important skills for a fire investigator is attention to detail. As a fire investigator, I am looking for clues that will help me solve a case. If I overlook something, it could impact my ability to find answers. Another skill I think is important is communication. In my previous position, I often had to explain my findings to others. Being able to clearly communicate information is an important skill for any professional.”

How would you gather evidence at a fire scene?

This question can help interviewers understand your investigative skills and how you apply them to the job. Use examples from past experiences to explain what evidence you look for at a fire scene, including any specific tools or techniques you use to gather it.

Example: “I would first make sure that I have all of my safety equipment before entering the building. Once inside, I would start by looking for anything suspicious, such as accelerants or other materials that could indicate arson. I also take photos of the entire area so I can reference them later when examining the evidence. After taking photos, I examine the burn patterns on the walls and floors to determine if they are consistent with the cause of the fire.”

What is the most challenging aspect of being a fire investigator?

This question can help interviewers understand what you find challenging about your job and how you approach challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a specific situation that was difficult but also how you overcame the challenge or learned from it.

Example: “The most challenging aspect of being a fire investigator is when I have to tell someone their loved one has died in a fire. It’s always hard to deliver bad news, but I try to make sure I am respectful and compassionate while still remaining professional. In my previous position, I would offer to meet with family members privately before giving them the official report so they could ask me any questions they had.”

Provide an example of a time when your critical thinking skills helped you solve a problem on the job.

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you use them in the workplace. When answering this question, think of a time when you used critical thinking to solve a problem or challenge at work. Try to choose an example that highlights your ability to analyze information and make decisions.

Example: “When I was working as a fire investigator for my previous employer, we had a case where a house caught on fire but there were no signs of arson. We knew it wasn’t electrical because the power was out before the fire started. The homeowner said they hadn’t left anything burning on their stovetop, so we didn’t know what caused the fire.

I decided to interview the homeowner again to see if they remembered anything else. They told me they had been cooking dinner earlier that day and smelled something strange. After checking the kitchen, they found nothing wrong. I asked them to describe the smell again, and they said it was like burnt plastic. That helped us narrow down our search for the cause of the fire.”

If a fire investigator were to falsify their findings, what would be the consequences?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your understanding of the consequences of falsifying information. This is a common practice in many industries, and it’s important that you understand how serious it can be. In your answer, try to explain what could happen if an investigator were to falsify their findings.

Example: “If I ever found out that a fire investigator had falsified their findings, I would report them immediately. Falsifying information is a very serious offense, and there are several consequences for doing so. If someone was to do this, they could lose their job or even face criminal charges. As a result, I take my work seriously and always make sure to provide accurate information.”

What would you do if you suspected a colleague of intentionally starting a fire?

This question can help interviewers assess your ability to work with others and resolve conflicts. In your answer, try to show that you value teamwork and collaboration. Explain how you would approach the situation in a way that maintains respect for your colleague while ensuring everyone’s safety.

Example: “I would first make sure I had enough evidence to support my suspicions. If so, I would talk to my colleague privately about my concerns. I would explain why I suspected them of starting the fire and ask if they have any information that could help me understand what happened. If they denied starting the fire, I would continue investigating until I found conclusive proof one way or another.”

How well do you work under pressure?

Fire investigators often work under pressure to solve cases quickly. Employers ask this question to see if you can handle the stress of a deadline. In your answer, explain that you are able to manage deadlines well and prioritize tasks effectively. Show that you have experience working under pressure in previous roles.

Example: “I am used to working under pressure because I’ve done it for many years. When I started as a fire investigator, I had to complete my first case within two weeks. I was nervous about meeting the deadline, but I managed to do it by prioritizing my tasks and delegating when necessary. Now, I know how to manage my time better and meet deadlines without needing to delegate.”

Do you have experience working with hazardous materials?

Fire investigators often work with hazardous materials, so employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with them. If you do not have experience working with hazardous materials, consider volunteering at a local fire department or researching how to handle these materials before your interview.

Example: “I have worked with hazardous materials in the past, but I am always looking for ways to improve my skills. At my last job, we had an incident where someone left some chemicals out and they leaked. We evacuated everyone from the building and called the hazmat team. The team helped us clean up the spill and dispose of it safely. After that incident, I took a class on handling hazardous materials.”

When investigating a fire, what is the first thing you should do?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you know how to conduct a proper investigation. Your answer should include the steps of investigating a fire and what you do first when starting an investigation.

Example: “The first thing I would do when arriving at a scene is assess it for safety reasons. Then, I would take photos of the entire area and document any evidence I find. After that, I would interview witnesses and ask them questions about what they saw or heard before, during and after the fire started. Finally, I would talk with the property owner to learn more about the building and its history.”

We want our fire investigators to be well-rounded individuals. Are there any additional skills you would like to develop to better perform your job?

An employer may ask this question to see if you have any additional skills they can help you develop. They want to make sure that their employees are growing and learning new things, so they might appreciate it if you mention a skill or two that you would like to learn in the future.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my investigative skills. I think it would be beneficial to take some classes on fire science and forensics. I also think it would be helpful to get more training with computer programs related to fire investigation. I know there are several different types of software used by investigators, and I’d like to become proficient at using them all.”

Describe your process for analyzing evidence at a fire scene.

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your investigative skills and how you apply them in the workplace. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific process that you use when analyzing evidence at a fire scene.

Example: “When I arrive at a fire scene, I first make sure to take photos of the entire area before anything is disturbed. Then, I begin my investigation by collecting samples from all areas of the scene for testing. After taking these samples, I document everything I see and collect any other relevant information about the scene. Next, I analyze the evidence I collected and compare it with the results of the lab tests.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from other candidates. You may also want to mention any skills you have that are relevant to the job.

Example: “I am certified in fire investigation through the International Association of Arson Investigators, which is something not many people have. I also have five years of experience as a fire investigator, so I know what it takes to succeed in this role. My background in computer science has helped me develop my coding skills, which I use to create digital models of crime scenes.”

Which fire investigation shows are you familiar with?

This question is a way for employers to see if you are familiar with the fire investigation shows that they may have seen. They want to know that you can apply what you’ve learned from television to real-life situations and scenarios.

Example: “I’m a big fan of ‘CSI’ and ‘Bones,’ but I also watch ‘Forensic Files.’ I find these shows entertaining, but I also learn something new every time I watch them. I think it’s important to keep learning about this field, so I try to watch as many educational programs as possible.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of fire prevention?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of fire safety and how you can help others prevent fires. Your answer should include a specific example of how you helped someone practice fire prevention in the past.

Example: “I think that everyone needs to have a plan for what they would do if their home caught on fire. I once worked with a family who had a small kitchen fire, but because they didn’t know what to do, they panicked and left the house without calling 911 or putting out the fire. The fire spread throughout the house and caused significant damage. If they had known what to do, they could have prevented this from happening.”

How often do you perform fire inspections?

Fire investigators often perform fire inspections to determine the cause of a blaze. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience performing these types of investigations. In your answer, explain how often you performed fire inspections in your previous role and what type of fires you inspected.

Example: “In my last position as a fire investigator, I performed fire inspections on all types of fires. I conducted fire inspections at residential homes, commercial buildings and industrial facilities. I also did many vehicle fires and electrical fires. I typically performed one or two fire inspections per week.”

There is a fire at a chemical plant. What are the first steps you would take to investigate the fire?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of fire investigation and the steps you would take in a specific situation. You can use this question to highlight your experience with investigating fires at industrial facilities, chemical plants or other locations where there are hazardous materials.

Example: “The first thing I would do when arriving on scene at a chemical plant fire is make sure my team members have all their safety equipment before we enter the facility. Once inside, I would assess the damage and look for any signs of arson. If it’s safe to do so, I would also collect samples from the area that may help me determine what caused the fire.

I would then interview employees who were working at the time of the fire to find out if they noticed anything suspicious prior to the fire starting. After completing these initial steps, I would begin collecting evidence and analyzing it to determine the cause of the fire.”