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Conduct internal investigation to determine negligence and violation of laws and regulations by fire department employees.
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Subpoena and interview witnesses, property owners, and building occupants to obtain information and sworn testimony.
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Test sites and materials to establish facts, such as burn patterns and flash points of materials, using test equipment.
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Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.
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Supervise staff, training them, planning their work, and evaluating their performance.
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Dust evidence or portions of fire scenes for latent fingerprints.
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Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.
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Develop and coordinate fire prevention programs, such as false alarm billing, fire inspection reporting, and hazardous materials management.
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Coordinate efforts with other organizations, such as law enforcement agencies.
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Conduct fire exit drills to monitor and evaluate evacuation procedures.
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Issue permits for public assemblies.
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Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.
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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.
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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.
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Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.
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Attend training classes to maintain current knowledge of fire prevention, safety, and firefighting procedures.
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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.
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Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.
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Review blueprints and plans for new or remodeled buildings to ensure the structures meet fire safety codes.
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Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.
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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.
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Instruct children about the dangers of fire.
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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.
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Recommend changes to fire prevention, inspection, and fire code endorsement procedures.
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Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found.
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Teach fire investigation techniques to other firefighter personnel.
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Write detailed reports of fire inspections performed, fire code violations observed, and corrective recommendations offered.
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Develop or review fire exit plans.
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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.
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Teach public education programs on fire safety and prevention.