Fire Marshal vs. Fire Inspector: What Are the Differences?

Fire marshals and fire inspectors are two positions in the fire safety industry. Both roles work to ensure that buildings are up to code and meet fire safety standards. However, fire marshals also investigate fires, while fire inspectors only inspect buildings. If you’re interested in a career in fire safety, learning more about the duties and responsibilities of each position can help you decide which is right for you. In this article, we compare the job titles fire marshal and fire inspector, and we discuss the key differences between the two.

What is a Fire Marshal?

A fire marshal is a public safety officer who is responsible for preventing and investigating fires. They inspect buildings to ensure they are up to code and safe from fire hazards. Fire marshals also educate the public on fire safety and give presentations on fire prevention. They investigate the cause of fires and work with law enforcement to determine if a fire was set intentionally. Fire marshals also keep records of all fires in their jurisdiction and work with insurance companies to process claims.

What is a Fire Inspector?

Fire Inspectors are responsible for ensuring that buildings comply with fire safety codes and regulations. They conduct regular inspections of buildings and issue fire safety permits. Fire Inspectors also investigate the cause of fires and develop fire prevention plans. They may also provide training on fire safety procedures and give presentations to community groups. Fire Inspectors typically work for fire departments, but may also work for insurance companies or government agencies.

Fire Marshal vs. Fire Inspector

Here are the main differences between a fire marshal and a fire inspector.

Job Duties

Fire marshals and fire inspectors perform many of the same tasks, like inspecting buildings to ensure they meet safety standards and investigating fires after they occur. However, their duties differ because of the environments in which they work. Fire marshals typically focus on larger systems, such as transportation networks or large industrial facilities. They may also conduct training for organizations or individuals to educate them about fire prevention.

Fire inspectors usually dedicate their time to smaller operations, conducting inspections at businesses or residential properties. They may investigate small fires that occurred in cooking areas or other localized sites. Fire inspectors may also perform educational outreach programs with communities to inform citizens about fire safety measures.

Job Requirements

Fire marshals and fire inspectors typically need at least a high school diploma, although some employers may prefer candidates with an associate or bachelor’s degree in fire science or a related field. Many fire marshals and fire inspectors also pursue certification through the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The NFPA offers several different certifications for fire professionals, including the Certified Fire Marshal (CFM) and the Certified Fire Inspector (CFI) designation. To earn either of these certifications, candidates must have at least two years of experience in the fire service and pass an exam.

Work Environment

Fire marshals and fire inspectors work in different environments. Fire marshals typically work for the government, such as local or state governments, where they may travel to different locations to ensure that buildings are following safety regulations. They also often work in large office buildings, inspecting them regularly to ensure that they’re safe.

Fire inspectors usually work for private companies, like insurance agencies or building maintenance firms. They may travel to different locations to inspect buildings, but their work is more likely to be based at a single location.

Skills

Both fire marshals and fire inspectors use problem-solving skills to identify potential fire hazards and develop solutions to mitigate those risks. Fire marshals may also need to use investigative skills if they are called to determine the cause of a fire.

Fire inspectors typically need to have customer service skills as they often work with the public, providing them with information about fire safety and conducting inspections of their properties. They also need to be able to communicate effectively in order to provide clear instructions on how to make improvements to reduce the risk of fires.

Organizational skills are important for both fire marshals and fire inspectors as they need to keep track of multiple properties or buildings and ensure that all areas are inspected regularly. Fire marshals may also need to coordinate with other agencies, such as law enforcement, if they are investigating the cause of a fire.

Salary

Fire marshals and fire inspectors have similar job duties, but they have different salaries. Fire marshals earn an average salary of $67,539 per year, while fire inspectors earn an average salary of $60,202 per year.