City of Manassas Fire and Rescue Department INTRODUCTION TO THE MISSION AND OPERATION OF THE OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL 1
The mission of the Office of the Fire Marshal is to protect the lives and property of the citizens of the City of Manassas: Through fire safety education, Through the enforcement of the Fire Prevention Code and arson laws, Through a comprehensive fire safety inspection program, Through the diligent investigation of fires, bombings, and enviornmental crimes, Through the arrest and conviction of those guilty of arson and related laws, Through membership in professional organizations, Through continuing education and training, And by keeping to the highest levels of courage, integrity, and professionalism. 2
Office of the Fire Marshal The Code of Virginia Chapter 27 grants authority to localities to appoint a Fire Marshal. The Manassas City Council established the Office of the Fire Marshal in Chapter 62- Fire Protection of the Code of the City of Manassas. 3
The Office of the Fire Marshal is part of the Manassas City Fire and Rescue Department which became operational on July 1, 2008. 4
Office of the Fire Marshal Duties, Responsibilities, and Authority Primary Fire Prevention Agency for the City The duty to investigate and prosecute all offenses involving hazardous materials, fires, fire bombings, bombings, attempts or threats to commit such offenses, environmental crimes, manufacture of explosive devices, and malicious false alarms. 5
Office of the Fire Marshal The duty to protect life and property through the enforcement of the Fire Prevention Code in commercial occupancies and in residences where certain hazardous conditions exist. 6
Office of the Fire Marshal Responsible for the review of construction plans and issue permits for the installation of fire protection systems and equipment. Responsible for the testing of fire protection systems and equipment in new and existing buildings. Responsible for the regulation of hazardous operations and issue over 200 annual Fire Prevention Code Permits Responsible for the establishment and enforcement of fire lanes. 7
Office of the Fire Marshal Selection and Qualification Criteria Fire Marshals must successfully complete: - Medical Examination - Background Check - Psychological Testing and Evaluation - Polygraph NFPA Firefighter II Certification or Civilian Entry Certification and HazMat Awareness Fire Inspector II Property Maintenance Inspector Fire Investigator II Fire Protection Plans Examiner Fire Protection (General) Inspector Bi-Annual Firearms Qualification Fire Marshal Academy - Law Enforcement for Fire Marshals 8
Office of the Fire Marshal Training and Certification Levels for Fire Marshals Fire Inspector II Basic level for Fire Marshals for code enforcement Summons powers for fire code violations Requires certification as a firefighter and HazMat Awareness Level, or May enter as a civilian thru the VFMA Civilian Entry Program Requires 16 hours of recert training every two years. Fire Investigator II Basic level for fire investigation Requires certification as a firefighter, HazMat Awareness Level, and Fire Inspector II Requires 40 hours of recert training every two years. Law Enforcement Fire Marshal Highest level of certification Requires certification as a firefighter, HazMat Awareness Level, Fire Inspector II and Fire Investigator II Requires graduation from the VFMA LE Course Requires 40 hours of recert training every two years. 9
Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Fire Programs Training and Certification Levels for Fire Marshals Firefighter certified Civilian Entry Program Civilian Entry Examination Fire Marshal Fire Inspector Code Enforcement Fire Marshal Fire Investigator Origin and Cause Fire Marshal Law Enforcement Criminal Activity 10
Authority Granted to the Fire Marshal Code Enforcement 11
Office of the Fire Marshal The Code of Virginia section 27-34.2 and the Code of the City of Manassas grant the Fire Marshal the power to arrest, to procure and serve warrants and to issue summons for the violation of fire prevention and fire safety laws. (Fire Prevention Code) Fire Marshals must successfully complete training and examination as prescribed by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, the Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Department of Criminal Justice Services to be certified as a Fire Inspector II and may be granted summons powers by their jurisdiction. A violation of the Fire Prevention Code is a Class 1 misdemeanor. 12
Office of the Fire Marshal Fire Marshals enforce the Statewide Fire Prevention Code and portions of the Uniform Statewide Building Code, - Conduct fire inspections in commercial occupancies. - Issue Fire Prevention Code permits for hazardous operations. - Review plans for the installation of fire protection systems. - Inspect and test fire protection systems. - Regulate blasting and pyrotechnic sale and displays. - Obtain Fire Inspection Warrant. - Issue a Virginia Uniform Summons for code violations. 13
Authority Granted to the Fire Marshal Law Enforcement 14
Office of the Fire Marshal The Code of Virginia section 27-34.2:1 and the Code of the City of Manassas grant Fire Marshals the same police powers as a sheriff, police officer or law-enforcement officer. Fire Marshals must successfully complete the Virginia Fire Marshal Academy - Law Enforcement Course as prescribed by the Department of Fire Programs and the Department of Criminal Justice Services to be granted police powers. 15
Office of the Fire Marshal Fire Marshal Training Training includes: Fire cause and origin. Constitutional, federal, state, and local laws. Arson, explosive, and environmental laws. Forensic analysis, fire science, fire behavior, and evidence collection. Interview and interrogation. Fire and post-blast scene reconstruction. 16
Office of the Fire Marshal Fire Marshal Training Fire Marshals are trained in arrest procedures, defensive tactics, felony stops, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, surveillance, and officer safety by instructors from the Virginia State Police. 17
Office of the Fire Marshal Fire Marshal Training Fire Marshals specialize in fire-related law enforcement. Fire Marshals receive limited training in the types of crimes that Police Officers respond to and investigate such as: Robbery, Rape, Larceny, Drugs, Domestic Violence Fire Marshals do not enforce traffic laws or operate radar. Unexploded "shape charge" found by workers cleaning out a storage room at BAE Systems was determined to be an inert hoax device. 18
Office of the Fire Marshal Fire Marshals work to determine the cause and origin of fires to prevent accidental re-occurrence, identify defective equipment, improve building and fire prevention standards, and prosecute arson. FMs determined a faulty HVAC unit caused this fire that destroyed one townhouse and damaged two others. A fire occurred in the engine of this experimental airplane as it was preparing for take-off at the Manassas Airport. A two-alarm fire at a strip shopping center destroyed two city businesses and did $500,000 damage. 19
Office of the Fire Marshal Fire Marshals track local and national fire-occurrence trends in order to help educate the public on how to live a fire-safe life style. An unattended candle caused a fire in a townhouse that seriously injured two residents and destroyed the structure on Speedwell Court. Use of an artifical flower pot as an ashtray caused a two-alarm fire that burned through the roof of an apartment building on Devonshire Court. 20
Office of the Fire Marshal When To Call For a Fire Marshal Any type of fire structure, vehicle, large area of brush, open burning, serial dumpsters, airplane, etc. Fire Fatality or Burn Injury to civilian and public safety personnel Bombs, Explosives, Illegal Fireworks, and Hazardous Material spills. Illegal dumping and unapproved use of city fire hydrants and sewer, gas leaks. Exceeding Occupant Load in Assembly Use Group buildings. Threats to destroy or injure by fire or bombing. Blocked exits, malfunctioning fire alarm, Tampering with fire protection equipment, Malicious false alarms. Hoarding cases. FMs investigate why a natural gas line was cut by a contractor and disrupted service to our citizens. 21
"When in doubt, turn 'em out!" There is a Fire Marshal on-call 24 hours a day, everyday of the year. 22
Office of the Fire Marshal Who we are: Francis J. Teevan Fire Marshal Certified Firefighter II, Law Enforcement Fire Marshal, Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator Certified Fire Official, Certified Building Maintenance Official Certified Fire Protection Plans Examiner, Certified Property Maintenance Inspector James T. Hartnett Deputy Fire Marshal Certified Fire Official, Fire Inspector II, Fire Investigator II, Law Enforcement Fire Marshal Richard C. Boyd, Jr. Assistant Fire Marshal Certified Firefighter II, Law Enforcement Fire Marshal, Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator Certified Fire Official, Certified Building Maintenance Official Certified Fire Protection Plans Examiner, Certified Property Maintenance Inspector 23
Office of the Fire Marshal We are active members of several professional organizations: National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications Virginia Fire Prevention Association 24
Office of the Fire Marshal Questions? 25
This presenation is a production of the City of Manassas Fire and Rescue Department Office of the Fire Marshal Questions or comments should be directed to firemarshal@manassasva.gov or 703-257-8458 Francis J. Teevan, CFO, CBMO Fire Marshal 26