AboutDominick G. Kasmauskas Expertise Former NFPA Fire Service Section, Director, Executive Board. NJ Certified Firefighter, Fire Instructor, Fire Inspector, Haz Mat Instructor. Volunteer Firefighter since 1974, Capt. Lieut. and President. National Fire Academy Fire Officer II certified. Presently a Regional Manager for the Natl Fire Sprinkler Assn and a certified fire protection specialist and a certified code enforcement official in NY State.
Experience Various awards and citations.
My oddest "call" was at my company picnic, in a remote area, when someone at the picnic had heart failure. While trying to perform CPR I was also giving directions to ALS and BLS to get to the scene.
Every alarm is an accomplishment.
Question in Getting My Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, would i have to become a Certified Firefighter1st before i can entertain the thought of becoming a Fire Inspector ?
Answer Mike-
Great career choice!
It is different from one city or county to the next. Some fire departments have the fire inspector, fire official, or fire marshal (only one "L") position as a stepping stone for promotions. Other cities have a line of progression as a separate career path. Just like a Fire Investigator or a Haz Mat Technician may be in that position for life.
Being a firefighter for a couple years would not hurt so you can "talk the talk and walk the walk", but again, depends on he individual requirements of where you apply.
I have seen some cities (and states) hire PEs (Professional Engineers) to do Plans Review and Examinations...folks that have no firefighting background. I work with many Fire Protection Engineers that have never been on a FD.
Many states do have a Fire Inspector courses and certifications internally offered through their Fire Academies. The National Fire Academy also has a long list of courses but does not "certify". The NFPA (www.NFPA.org)and ICC (www.ICCSafe.org) also have nationally recognized certifications for Inspectors.
So, the short answer is "No" to your question and the long answer is "It depends".
Let me know if you need anything at all to reach your goal. I'd prefer have one guy like you in a car educating the public and inspecting for hazards trying to prevent fires out there rather than 10 firefighters and two trucks trying to put fires out.
Remember the 3 Es, Education, Enforcement, Engineering. You can educate the public to be fire safe, but ya can't fix stupid. You can enforce the codes and laws for fire prevention with the public, but ya still can't fix stupid (the public, not the inspector). That leaves Engineering...meaning working smoke alarms and automatic fire protection such as fire sprinklers to stop the "stupid" in its tracks early.
Also visit www.SprinklerAcademy.com . That might be of interest to you as well, plus they offer college credit courses on line.
