WORKSHOP SET FOR APRIL 15 TO DISCUSS WASHINGTON CO. FIRE MARSHAL POSITION

  

Washington County Commissioners have scheduled a workshop to discuss the possible creation of a county fire marshal.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, April 15^th at 6 p.m. at the Washington County Expo Event Center.

Commissioners were set to consider approving a job description to create the fire marshal position at a meeting on March 18^th.  Members of the county volunteer fire force requested the workshop to further discuss the position and how it would impact their fire departments.

According to the job description included in the agenda packet for the March 18^th meeting, the fire marshal would be responsible for 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.” 

The job description was listed with an annual pay range of $79,843 - $119,764.

County Judge John Durrenberger previously told KWHI that there is not anyone qualified at the county level to inspect the growing number of subdivisions and new commercial construction.  He also said it would help ensure volunteer firefighters are trained, which determines how much funding their departments receive annually.

However, several volunteer fire officials have shared concerns about the level of impact the fire marshal could potentially have on their departments' operations.  Additionally, some have questioned the timing of this item coming within weeks of the emergency services district election for the Chappell Hill and Meyersville Volunteer Fire Departments, though Durrenberger has stated the discussions on the fire marshal position go back well before the ESD proposal.