WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS TABLE ACTION ON FIRE MARSHAL JOB DESCRIPTION

  

Washington County Commissioners opted to hold off today (Tuesday) on creating a job description for a county fire marshal.

Commissioners voted unanimously to table the topic until an open workshop could be held with the county’s volunteer fire departments and fire chiefs, many of which were present at today’s meeting.  Commissioner Misti Hartstack Corn made the motion to table, and Commissioner Dustin Majewski seconded.

Tim Hamff, Assistant Chief for the Rocky Creek Volunteer Fire Department and Public Information Officer for the Washington County Firefighters Association, stated that the departments do not feel their voices have been involved thus far in the county’s pursuit of this position and asked that the county bring them into the discussion.

Hamff’s comments come as several volunteer fire officials have shared disappointment and concern that their feedback was not sought out for a position that would be overseeing them and their departments.  Some have also expressed skepticism about the timing of the fire marshal position coming up as the Chappell Hill and Meyersville VFDs prepare for an emergency services district election in May, though County Judge John Durrenberger told KWHI on Friday that there is no connection, saying discussions on this position go back well before the ESD proposal.

Durrenberger stated today that when the commissioners court had previously brought this matter up in a workshop, Hamff was the only fire department representative there for it. 

Hamff said at a fire chiefs’ meeting this past weekend, that was “the first time that nine of the 10 fire chiefs had actually seen” the job description, adding that no member of the court has attended a Firefighters Association meeting since October.  Commissioner Dustin Majewski asked Hamff if they had invited any of the commissioners to their meetings, to which Hamff replied that all association meetings are posted online to meet compliance with the fire departments’ memorandum of understanding with the county, and that commissioners are welcome to attend.

Per the job description included in the agenda packet for today’s meeting, the fire marshal would be tasked with the “coordination of the delivery of fire suppression throughout the county, investigation of fires within the county, inspection of all county and other buildings for fire code safety, administration and enforcement of the fire code, providing recommendations regarding burn bans and fireworks, rescue operations, hazardous material response, emergency management planning, and public fire education programs.”

Durrenberger previously told KWHI that there is not anyone qualified at the county level to inspect the increasing number of subdivisions and new commercial construction.  He also said this position would help ensure volunteer firefighters are trained, which dictates how much funding their departments receive each year. 

The job description listed an annual pay range of $79,843 - $119,764.  The amount is not expected to cover additional expenses associated with operating a fire marshal’s office, such as equipment. 

After the vote to table, Durrenberger said the court would establish a workshop and attempt to find something that works with everyone’s schedule.  Hamff said the departments appreciate this and are willing to work with the county to move forward. 

In other business today, commissioners:

• Approved a right-of-way permit application for the 2025 Blue Bell Fun Run in Washington County.
• Authorized the county judge to sign a renewed Microsoft volume licensing enterprise agreement for Washington County’s Microsoft Office 365 licenses.
• Received a presentation of the Washington County Human Resources quarterly report.
• Approved a subdivision variance request for a land division fronting FM 390 East, consisting of 243.52 acres in Precinct 1.
• Approved an order of public interest and a plat revision for the Nicholson Lake subdivision in Precinct 2.