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Fire Safety Officer Duties and Responsibilities

In order to ensure the fire safety of all facilities under their care, a Fire Safety Officer performs many different tasks. We analyzed job listings for Fire Safety Officers in order to identify these core duties and responsibilities.

Inspect Buildings The Fire Safety Officer performs regular fire safety inspections of all facilities under their care, ensuring that they meet all necessary codes and regulations. They also respond to fire emergencies and arson crimes, investigating and reporting the causes of fire and taking appropriate responsive actions.

Enforce Safety Codes and Regulations In order to adhere to laws and policies, the Fire Safety Officer must remain up-to-date on all local and federal codes and regulations. They are also often responsible for acquiring necessary buildings permits, so they must remain knowledgeable of the permit procedures and requirements.

Perform Maintenance Maintenance is an important part of the Fire Safety Officer’s job. He or she must maintain all fire safety equipment in the building, such as fire extinguishers and other fire-suppression equipment, replacing dysfunctional equipment when it cannot be fixed. They perform preventative work on buildings and equipment as well to reduce the need for maintenance and replacement.

Train and Educate Being the local expert in fire safety means that the Fire Safety Officer is also responsible for providing education and training to all company and facility staff members. They must ensure that staff is adequately aware of fire safety code and preventative measures in order to facilitate the safety of a building and its employees and reduce violations.

Address Violations After inspecting buildings, if the Fire Safety Officer has identified any code violations or failures to adhere to appropriate regulations, he or she is responsible for addressing these violations. This can include performing maintenance, submitting work orders for building updates, and implementing any necessary disciplinary actions.

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Fire Safety Officer Skills

Fire Safety Officers are must be knowledgeable experts in their field and possess excellent communication skills in order to maintain fire safety and adequately educate others. They are also timely and adaptable, responding quickly and effectively to fire safety issues and emergencies. Detail-oriented, they identify and resolve all fire safety concerns and violations. Core skills: Based on job listings we looked at, employers want Fire Safety Officers with these core skills. If you want to work as a Fire Safety Officer, focus on the following.

  • Possessing fire investigation certification
  • Having fire safety training
  • Obtaining fire prevention, education or inspection experience
  • Demonstrating fire alarm testing and maintenance experience
  • Showing knowledge of relevant codes and regulations

Advanced skills: While most employers did not require the following skills, multiple job listings included them as preferred. Add these to your Fire Safety Officer toolbox and broaden your career options.

  • Additional certifications related to fire safety
  • Firefighting certification
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Fire Safety Officer Resources

We searched the Web to find the best industry resources to help you continue exploring a career as a Fire Safety Officer. From thought leaders to industry groups, this list is packed with opportunities to learn, connect and engage. On the Web

Fireline Blog – Fire protection product company blog

Total Fire and Safety – A blog about fire safety practices and procedures

Fire and Life Safety America – A blog focusing on fire safety and preventative care Industry Groups

National Fire Protection Association – Leading resource on fire protection

Society of Fire Protection Engineers – Professional organization for fire protection engineers Fire Department Safety Officers Association – Organization for fire safety officers Fire Safety Officer Books

Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations – Guide to fire fighting

On the Burning Edge – True story of a firefighter that weaves in fire management history

Fire and Emergency Services – Fire safety procedures and techniques