Fire Marshal Resume examples & templates
Copyable Fire Marshal Resume examples
By 2030, Fire Marshals will likely do more with data than with fire hoses. As building technologies evolve and smart sensors become standard, today's Fire Marshal is transforming from inspector to risk analyst—someone who interprets fire prevention through the lens of predictive modeling and building science. We're already seeing this shift: many jurisdictions now require Fire Marshals to complete advanced certifications in data analysis and environmental safety on top of traditional firefighting credentials. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, departments using prevention-focused analytics have reduced commercial fire incidents by 17.3% compared to those using traditional inspection methods alone.
The job has quietly expanded beyond checking sprinkler systems and exit signs. Modern Fire Marshals evaluate complex suppression systems, conduct computer-modeled evacuation drills and collaborate with urban planners on fire-resistant community design. For those entering this field, the combination of hands-on inspection skills and analytical thinking will open doors in an increasingly technical discipline that sits at the intersection of public safety, technology and environmental science.
Junior Fire Marshal Resume Example
MIGUEL TORRES
Phone: (555) 781-3492 • Email: miguel.torres@email.com • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/migueltorres
1243 Firefighter Lane, Portland, OR 97204
Newly certified Fire Marshal with strong foundation in fire prevention, public education, and code enforcement. Former firefighter leveraging hands-on emergency response experience to excel in prevention and safety compliance. Committed to reducing fire risks through thorough inspections and community outreach programs.
EXPERIENCE
Junior Fire Marshal – Portland Fire Department, Portland, OR
March 2023 – Present
- Conduct 15-20 weekly fire safety inspections of commercial buildings, restaurants, and multi-family dwellings to ensure compliance with local fire codes
- Identify and document 73 potential fire hazards during first quarter inspections, resulting in 91% compliance rate after follow-ups
- Assist in developing and delivering 4 fire safety education programs to local schools and community centers, reaching approximately 850 residents
- Participate in plan reviews for new construction projects to ensure fire safety standards are met before approval
- Maintained detailed digital records of all inspections using department’s FireCheck software system
Firefighter/EMT – Portland Fire Department, Portland, OR
June 2021 – February 2023
- Responded to emergency calls including structure fires, vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies
- Assisted senior firefighters in performing fire suppression activities and rescue operations
- Maintained equipment and apparatus to ensure operational readiness for emergency response
- Completed 240+ hours of continuing education in fire science and emergency medical services
Fire Prevention Intern – Clackamas County Fire District, Clackamas, OR
January 2021 – May 2021
- Shadowed senior Fire Marshals during building inspections and learned code enforcement procedures
- Helped organize community fire safety events at 3 local elementary schools
- Created digital flyers and educational materials for department’s fire prevention week
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Associate of Applied Science, Fire Science
Portland Community College – Portland, OR
Graduated: May 2021 – GPA: 3.8
Certifications:
- Fire Inspector I Certification (NFPA 1031) – January 2023
- Fire and Life Safety Educator I (NFPA 1035) – February 2023
- Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations – December 2021
- EMT-Basic Certification – National Registry – April 2021
- CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers – American Red Cross – Current
SKILLS
- Fire Code Enforcement & Compliance
- Building Inspection Techniques
- Fire Prevention Systems Assessment
- Plan Review & Analysis
- Public Education & Outreach
- Emergency Response Procedures
- FireCheck Documentation Software
- Technical Report Writing
- Interpersonal Communication
- Spanish (Conversational)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- International Association of Fire Marshals – Member since 2022
- Oregon Fire Marshals Association – Member since 2022
Mid-level Fire Marshal Resume Example
VICTOR J. MARTINEZ
Denver, CO 80204 | (720) 555-8219 | vmartinez.firesafety@email.com | linkedin.com/in/victormartinez-firesafety
Fire safety professional with 6+ years of progressive experience in fire prevention, inspection, and code enforcement. Skilled at building collaborative relationships with local businesses while maintaining strict adherence to fire codes. Proven track record of reducing fire incidents by 31% in commercial districts through targeted education programs and proactive inspections. Former firefighter with hands-on emergency response experience.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Fire Marshal | City of Lakewood Fire Department | Lakewood, CO | March 2021 – Present
- Lead a team of 4 fire inspectors conducting 950+ annual inspections across commercial properties, schools, and multi-family residential buildings
- Implement new digital inspection reporting system, cutting documentation time by 37% and improving data accuracy
- Investigate approximately 25-30 fire incidents annually to determine origin, cause, and compliance with fire codes
- Developed targeted outreach program for restaurant kitchens that reduced cooking-related fires by 42% over 18 months
- Serve as technical advisor on the city planning commission for fire safety requirements in new construction projects
Deputy Fire Marshal | Boulder County Fire Protection District | Boulder, CO | June 2019 – March 2021
- Conducted 700+ fire inspections annually across diverse facilities to verify compliance with NFPA standards and local fire codes
- Reviewed construction plans and specifications for new buildings and renovations to ensure adherence to fire safety regulations
- Created and delivered fire safety education programs reaching 3,000+ residents and business owners
- Collaborated with local school district to implement comprehensive emergency evacuation procedures at 12 schools
Fire Inspector | Arvada Fire Protection District | Arvada, CO | August 2017 – June 2019
- Performed over 500 annual fire safety inspections in commercial and multi-family residential buildings
- Issued citations for code violations and followed up to ensure timely compliance (89% resolution rate)
- Provided technical guidance to business owners regarding sprinkler systems, alarm requirements, and evacuation planning
- Assisted in development of pre-incident planning for high-risk facilities
Firefighter/EMT | Brighton Fire Rescue District | Brighton, CO | January 2015 – August 2017
- Responded to fire, medical, and hazardous materials emergencies as part of a 4-person engine company
- Participated in fire prevention activities including school demonstrations and community outreach events
- Maintained equipment and apparatus to ensure operational readiness for emergency response
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Science, Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology
Oklahoma State University | Stillwater, OK | 2014
Certifications:
- NFPA Certified Fire Inspector I & II (2018, renewed 2021)
- NFPA Certified Fire Plans Examiner (2020)
- International Code Council Fire Inspector I & II
- Fire Investigator – National Fire Academy (2019)
- Colorado State Fire Marshal Certification
- Hazardous Materials Technician
- EMT-Basic (National Registry)
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
- Fire code enforcement & interpretation
- Construction plan review
- Fire investigation techniques
- Public education & community outreach
- Emergency management systems
- Digital inspection reporting software
- Fire protection systems (sprinklers, alarms)
- NFPA standards & ICC codes
- Staff training & development
- Technical report writing
- Interdepartmental coordination
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- International Association of Fire Marshals
- Colorado Chapter of the International Code Council
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Senior / Experienced Fire Marshal Resume Example
Michael D. Ramirez
San Diego, CA 92101 • (619) 555-8724 • michael.ramirez@email.com • linkedin.com/in/michaeldramirez
Dedicated Fire Marshal with 12+ years of progressive experience in fire prevention, code enforcement, and public safety. Proven track record of developing comprehensive inspection programs that
reduced commercial fire incidents by 37% over 5 years. Skilled in leading multi-agency disaster response coordination and implementing community risk reduction initiatives. Known for balancing technical expertise with strong interpersonal skills when working with property owners, contractors, and the public.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Fire Marshal | City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department | San Diego, CA | 2018-Present
- Direct a team of 14 fire inspectors conducting 4,700+ annual inspections across commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential properties
- Overhauled the department’s inspection tracking system, cutting report processing time from 6 days to less than 48 hours
- Collaborated with city planning to revise fire safety requirements for new construction, resulting in 23% fewer code violations during initial inspections
- Serve as liaison between fire department and 80+ government agencies, private businesses, and community organizations for emergency management planning
- Developed and implemented a fire safety education program that reached 12,000+ residents and 350+ businesses annually
Deputy Fire Marshal | Chula Vista Fire Department | Chula Vista, CA | 2014-2018
- Supervised 6 fire inspectors and managed the fire prevention division’s $1.2M annual budget
- Led investigation of 175+ fire incidents, determining cause and origin while preparing detailed technical reports
- Created the department’s first digital plan review system, cutting permit approval times by 41%
- Trained 22 firefighters on code enforcement procedures and investigation techniques
- Implemented risk-based inspection scheduling that prioritized high-hazard occupancies, improving resource allocation by 28%
Fire Inspector II | Oceanside Fire Department | Oceanside, CA | 2011-2014
- Conducted 900+ annual fire safety inspections of commercial properties, schools, and multi-family dwellings
- Reviewed construction plans to ensure compliance with fire codes and life safety regulations
- Investigated fire scenes to determine origin, cause, and contributing factors
- Developed fire prevention educational materials that were adopted by 3 neighboring departments
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Master of Public Administration | San Diego State University | 2016
Bachelor of Science, Fire Protection and Safety Engineering | Oklahoma State University | 2009
Certifications:
- ICC Fire Marshal Certification (2016, renewed 2022)
- NFPA Certified Fire Inspector II (2013)
- NFPA Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (2012)
- California State Fire Marshal Plans Examiner (2014)
- FEMA Incident Command System: ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400
- Hazardous Materials Technician (2010, renewed 2022)
SKILLS
- Fire Code Enforcement & Interpretation
- Construction Plan Review
- Fire Origin & Cause Investigation
- Personnel Management & Development
- Emergency Operations Planning
- Public Education & Community Outreach
- Multi-Agency Coordination
- Budget Administration
- Technical Report Writing
- FireView Software & Records Management
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- International Association of Fire Chiefs
- California Fire Chiefs Association
- International Code Council
- National Fire Protection Association
How to Write a Fire Marshal Resume
Introduction
Landing a Fire Marshal position requires more than just field experience—you need a resume that showcases your expertise in fire safety, inspection protocols, and regulatory knowledge. Fire Marshal roles are competitive, with departments often receiving dozens of applications for a single opening. Your resume is your first opportunity to demonstrate you're qualified to handle the responsibility of ensuring public safety through fire prevention, code enforcement, and emergency response planning.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your resume clean and organized—just like a well-executed fire inspection. Aim for 1-2 pages depending on your experience level (newer Fire Marshals should stick to one page, while those with 10+ years might need two).
- Use a standard, readable font like Arial or Calibri, 10-12pt size
- Include clear section headings (Experience, Education, Certifications)
- Incorporate white space to prevent a cluttered appearance
- Save your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting
- Name your file professionally (JohnSmith_FireMarshal_Resume.pdf)
Fire safety professionals review documentation daily—your resume should reflect the same attention to detail you bring to inspecting buildings. A disorganized resume sends the wrong message about your organizational capabilities.
Profile/Summary Section
Start with a punchy 3-4 sentence summary that highlights your fire safety credentials, years of experience, and specializations. This isn't the place for generalities—get specific about your background.
Example: "Fire Marshal with 8 years of experience in code enforcement and fire investigation. NFPA-certified with specialized training
in arson detection and structural fire assessment. Successfully managed 217 annual inspections while maintaining a 98% compliance rate. Known for developing collaborative relationships with building owners while ensuring strict adherence to fire codes."
Professional Experience
This is where you prove your capabilities. For each position, include:
- Job title, department/organization name, location, and dates
- 4-6 bullet points highlighting accomplishments (not just duties)
- Quantifiable achievements (inspection numbers, compliance rates, response times)
- Leadership responsibilities and team coordination experience
Focus on results: "Reduced commercial fire incidents by 31% through implementation of targeted inspection program focused on high-risk businesses" beats "Responsible for commercial building inspections."
Education and Certifications
Fire Marshal positions typically require specific credentials. List these prominently:
- Degrees in Fire Science, Fire Protection Engineering, or related fields
- NFPA certifications (Fire Inspector I/II, Fire Plans Examiner, etc.)
- State-specific Fire Marshal certifications
- Specialized training (Investigation, Hazmat, ICS, etc.)
- License numbers where applicable (some employers verify these)
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many departments use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes. Include these terms naturally throughout your resume:
- Code enforcement
- Fire investigation
- Plan review
- Public education
- NFPA codes
- IBC/IRC familiarity
- Emergency management
- Fire protection systems
Industry-specific Terms
Show your expertise by correctly using terminology like:
- Fire suppression systems (wet pipe, dry pipe, deluge)
- Egress requirements
- Occupancy classifications
- Fire-resistance ratings
- Fire flow calculations
- Pre-incident planning
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Listing duties without accomplishments
- Using firefighter terminology exclusively when Fire Marshal roles focus on prevention/inspection
- Omitting continuing education or recent code training
- Forgetting to highlight public speaking or educational outreach experience
- Using technical jargon without demonstrating practical application
Before/After Example
Before: "Responsible for conducting fire inspections and enforcing codes."
After: "Conducted 175+ annual inspections across mixed-use occupancies, achieving 94% first-time compliance through educational approach. Authored simplified code guidebook for small business owners that reduced repeat violations by 27% in its first year."
Your resume should tell the story of how you've protected communities through prevention, inspection, and education. Fire Marshals need technical skills combined with communication abilities—make sure both shine through in your application.
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Fire Marshal resume
- Authoritative but approachable communication style, especially when dealing with anxious property owners during safety inspections
- Diplomatic conflict resolution when mediating between business owners and code enforcement priorities
- Composure under pressure during emergency response coordination (managed team communications during the Westlake chemical facility incident)
- Simplified technical translation – breaking down complex fire code requirements for non-technical stakeholders
- Cross-functional collaboration with building inspectors, law enforcement, and emergency services
- Adaptable teaching approach for diverse audiences (from kindergarten fire safety to complex sprinkler system training for maintenance staff)
Hard skills for your Fire Marshal resume
- NFPA 1031/1033 Fire Investigation Techniques
- Fire & Building Code Enforcement (ICC)
- Fire Protection System Inspection (sprinklers, alarms, standpipes)
- Fireworks Display Safety Oversight
- Emergency Management Software (CAMEO, FireHouse)
- Fire Scene Documentation using Total Station mapping
- Plans Review for Fire Protection Systems
- CAD Drawing Interpretation
- HazMat Response Coordination (NFPA 472 certified)