AI exposure Protective service
Will AI replace fire inspectors and investigators?
Fire Inspectors and Investigators. US occupation 33-2021.
The reading
0.0%
of the time fire inspectors and investigators spend on their work goes on tasks where AI is already being used to do that work.of fire inspectors and investigators' working hours go on tasks AI has already started taking off their plate.
Ranked 346 of 756 US occupations. No AI use seen in the work yet, along with 410 other occupations.No handover started yet, along with 410 other occupations.
Per cent of working time Square-law scale
Average US job 7.7%
Among the least exposed jobs there are.Still waiting for liberation.
What AI already does for fire inspectors and investigatorsWhat fire inspectors and investigators no longer do alone
O*NET lists 30 tasks for fire inspectors and investigators. None of them shows meaningful AI use at work yet.
What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human
30 of the 30 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.
- Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.Core task
- Attend training classes to maintain current knowledge of fire prevention, safety, and firefighting procedures.Core task
- Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found.Core task
- Conduct fire exit drills to monitor and evaluate evacuation procedures.Core task
- Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.Core task
- Coordinate efforts with other organizations, such as law enforcement agencies.Core task
Show the other 24
- Develop or review fire exit plans.Core task
- 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.Core task
- 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.Core task
- 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.Core task
- 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.Core task
- 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.Core task
- Instruct children about the dangers of fire.Core task
- Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.Core task
- Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.Core task
- Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.Core task
- Recommend changes to fire prevention, inspection, and fire code endorsement procedures.Core task
- Review blueprints and plans for new or remodeled buildings to ensure the structures meet fire safety codes.Core task
- Teach fire investigation techniques to other firefighter personnel.Core task
- Teach public education programs on fire safety and prevention.Core task
- Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.Core task
- Write detailed reports of fire inspections performed, fire code violations observed, and corrective recommendations offered.Core task
- 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.
- Conduct internal investigation to determine negligence and violation of laws and regulations by fire department employees.
- Develop and coordinate fire prevention programs, such as false alarm billing, fire inspection reporting, and hazardous materials management.
- Dust evidence or portions of fire scenes for latent fingerprints.
- Issue permits for public assemblies.
- Subpoena and interview witnesses, property owners, and building occupants to obtain information and sworn testimony.
- Supervise staff, training them, planning their work, and evaluating their performance.
- Test sites and materials to establish facts, such as burn patterns and flash points of materials, using test equipment.
How that compares
Among the 21 protective service occupations, fire inspectors and investigators rank 9. The group averages 1.2%, and its most exposed job is Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers at 12.3%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.
Level with 0.0%
- 346Fast Food and Counter Workers 0.0%
- 346Fence Erectors 0.0%
- 346Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators 0.0%
What this does and does not mean
Exposure is observed use, not a forecast. Anthropic maps work conversations with Claude onto the tasks O*NET lists for each job and asks, of the tasks AI could speed up, which are actually being used for at work. A use that does the task outright counts in full and a use that assists a person counts half. The task scores are averaged into the occupation figure by the share of time spent on each task.
A high figure means AI is already part of how this work gets done. It does not mean anyone has been replaced. Anthropic's own reading of the labour market finds no systematic rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting exposed jobs.No measurable rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting these jobs. Gap years for everyone. Labor market impacts, 5 March 2026.
Task list and titles from O*NET 31.0 by the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Scores from the Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Checked 1 November 2026. How the ranking works.