Towering red rock arches, sweeping canyons and century-old dwellings set the stage for Rachel Dickey’s summer adventure. The Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Fire, Arson and Explosion Investigation student interned with the National Park Service (NPS), gaining hands-on experience while helping protect the iconic landscapes of Arches, Canyonlands, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Parks and Monuments in Utah.
From a small town in Central Illinois, Dickey chose to pursue EKU’s online fire, arson and explosion investigation program after a forensic chemistry class sparked her interest in the subject. One of only a handful of specialized programs in the country, EKU’s Fire, Arson and Explosion Investigation program offered Dickey a supportive community, hands-on fieldwork and engaging online coursework to pursue her passion.
“The program is set up in a way to collaborate with those around you who have different experiences, education and provide a way to work in the real world,” said Dickey.
Through her internship with the NPS, Dickey put her coursework into practice in the pre-fire aspects of fire investigation, such as inspections, fire management and emergency plans. She presented structural fire management and emergency action plans to the Southeast Utah Group, which oversees the parks where she worked, and also completed a project for the Rock House, a historical building in Arches National Park. After inspecting the site, she recommended improvements to strengthen the building’s fire safety.
“When it comes to conducting fire investigations, not only understanding how to process a scene after a fire, but understanding everything that is used to prevent fires is important as well,” Dickey said. “EKU set a great foundation, while this internship enabled me to learn by working with those lessons.”
Dickey completed the bachelor’s in Fire, Arson and Explosion Investigation at EKU this summer. As she prepares for what’s next, the skills she gained through real-world learning experiences this summer and through EKU’s program will guide her path in fire and arson investigation.
EKU’s Fire, Arson and Explosion Investigation program is offered online or on campus. The unique program provides students with the scientific and investigative skills to determine the cause of fires and explosions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the demand for fire investigators to grow faster than average over the next decade and reported a 2024 median pay of $75,480 per year.
By Christina Rannells
Interested in a degree from EKU?
Earn your undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degree from a university that has been an education leader for more than 100 years. Choose from a variety of in-demand and nationally recognized academic programs, offered both online and on-campus.
Whether you want to start, finish or advance your education, EKU has a program that can fit your schedule and your needs. Complete the form to learn more about how EKU can help advance your career.
Eastern Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees.