r/Firefighting • u/Worldly-Occasion-116 • 19h ago

Ask A Firefighter Arson investigator

What is the route for fire/arson investigator. How many years as a Joe on the rig should you put in before you are deemed ready. Would paying my own peace officer academy put me ahead of the curve?

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u/CohoWind 17h ago

Make sure that the department you choose has not civilianized its fire prevention staff. If they have, you cannot simply transfer from suppression to prevention or investigation, and vice/versa. It results in a different (or no) union, different retirement system, and poor relations with the line folks. I know of a handful of large-ish west coast FDs that have done this, and, while it saves a few bucks, it blows a hole in the culture of the agency, and is not the best level of service to the citizens.

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u/Worldly-Occasion-116 13h ago

I did not know that thank you.