REPORT of WILLIAM E. BARNARD, CFPS STATE FIRE MARSHAL to the MARYLAND STATE FIREMEN S ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Good morning, Mr. Chairman, members of the Executive Committee, President Sterling, Vice Presidents Underwood and Powell, members of the Maryland State Firemen s Association and guests, it is an honor and privilege to present you with a brief update on the events and activities of the Office of the State Fire Marshal since the last meeting of the Association s Executive Committee. Budget Issues Governor O Malley called for a Special Session of the Maryland General Assembly to address Maryland s $1.7 Billion Structural Budget Deficit. The Special Session began Monday, October 29, 2007, and wrapped Monday, November 19, 2007. The General Assembly approved several measures to help address the deficit situation. At this time, full details are not available; however, one of the Bills that passed requires the Governor to eliminate 500 State Government positions. OSFM Operational Statistics For the first nine months of 2007 arson arrests are up 39% while other arrest types are up 42%. Inspections are down 1.4% from the same time span in 2006 and the number of fire investigations was down 5.2%. Plan reviews were down 14.6% due to the loss of one Fire Protection Engineer to retirement. Residential Sprinkler Initiatives OSFM staff members assisted the Maryland State Firemen s Association Fire Sprinkler Committee and local fire services with an educational program for the Anne Arundel County Council and with the public hearing on the fire sprinkler legislation in St. Mary s County. OSFM staff members assisted with the public hearing in Talbot County. The same day, Talbot County Commissioners passed legislation requiring fire sprinklers in all newly constructed one and two family homes, effective March 2008. Additionally the Town of Easton passed similar legislation requiring sprinklers in all newly constructed one and two family homes. OSFM personnel assisted with an educational program and presentation in Cecil County for the Cecil County Commissioners and with an educational program and presentation in Dorchester County. On October 29, 2007, the Cambridge City Commissioners voted to repeal their fire sprinkler ordinance. It is my opinion that the Cambridge City Ordinance was too complex including both residential and commercial properties. Regional OSFM Office Moves The OSFM Eastern Shore Regional Office has completed its move to a new office at 301 Bay Street, Unit #5, Suite LL1, Easton, Maryland, 21601. The phone number will remain the same 410-822-7609. Delmarva Power s Emergency Services Partnership Once again this year, Delmarva Power is donating 500 smoke alarms and 70 smoke alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing for distribution in the Delmarva Power service area. They are also providing the State of Delaware and the City of Wilmington with smoke alarms as well. The donation and news conference was held October 25, 2007, in Salisbury, Maryland.
Page Two Fire Deaths Update As of November 20, 2007, there have been a total of 78 fire deaths in Maryland. During the same time period last year there were 52 fire deaths reported. Fire deaths have reduced significantly since June 30, 2007, averaging less than 5 per month. The 2007 Fire Deaths by jurisdiction are as follows: Allegany County 1 Anne Arundel County 5 Baltimore City 27 Baltimore County 6 Cecil County 2 Charles County 1 Fredrick County 1 Harford County 9 Howard County 3 Kent County 1 Montgomery County 9 Prince George s County 5 Talbot County 3 Wicomico County 1 Worcester County 4 Mid-Atlantic Life Safety Conference The 2007 Mid-Atlantic Life Safety Conference, Make a Difference Change the World, was held September 25, 2007 at the John Hopkins APL, Kossiakoff Conference Center, in Laurel, Maryland. For the second year in a row, the Conference was filled to capacity with Life Safety Educators. The annual life safety conference has been taking place since 1959. Special thanks go to the committee chair, Ken Bush and to Ms. Cynthia A. Spindler, from MEMA, for all of the work they have done putting this first class event together. Fire Safety Media Releases Several fire safety media releases were recently distributed involving Halloween Fire Safety and the National Change Your Clock Change Your Battery Smoke Alarm Campaign. The OSFM worked in conjunction with the State Highway Administration the first weekend in November, in displaying the message Change Your Clock Change Your Battery --- Smoke Alarms Saves Lives on the State Highway Informational Signs. Another media release related to Safe Cooking for the Holidays was released just prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday which included precautionary measures for cooking and for the use of turkey fryers.
Page Three Major Case Investigations Since April of this year, a team consisting of Prince George s County Fire Investigators, Deputy State Fire Marshals, ATF Agents and Greenbelt City Police Investigators have been investigating a series of 15 fires at the Springhill Lake Apartment Complex in Greenbelt, Maryland. There were no injures associated with the fires; however, the fires frightened residents and caused millions of dollars in damages and economic losses. On Wednesday, October 3, 2007, Jeremiah Christopher Jones, 25, of the 9100 block of Edmonston Road in Greenbelt was taken into custody without incident. He was arrested on federal arson charges with additional charges anticipated as the investigation continues. On October 25, 2007, two victims, one male and one female, were found deceased in the debris of a townhouse fire at 6661 Harbor Light Way, in Fredrick Maryland. The Office of the State Fire Marshal; working in conjunction with the Fredrick County Sheriff s Office conducted the investigation of this case. The Office of the Medical Examiner determined that neither victim died as a result of the fire. OSFM Staff Positions Currently, the OSFM has thirteen vacant positions; eight Deputy State Fire Marshals, one Fire Protection Engineer, two Fire Safety Inspectors, one Administrative Aide and one Office Secretary. OSFM staff members are working to fill all positions a promptly as possible, with the exception of those positions that must be held vacant to cover assigned turnover. One Deputy State Fire Marshal began employment on November 10, 2007, and is attending the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy. One of the Fire Safety Inspectors started on November 21, 2007; the other will be starting on December 5, 2007. A final employment has been made to the Fire Protection Engineer candidate with a projected start date of December 5, 2007. Interviews for the Administrative Aide have been completed. A selection has been made with a projected start date of December 5, 2007. National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service Deputy State Fire Marshals from the OSFM Bomb Squad assisted with security screening and pre-event explosive sweeps for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Annual Memorial Service on Sunday, October 6, 2007, at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. President Bush attended the ceremony along with several hundred fire and rescue personnel from around the country. Also, OSFM personnel assisted with family transportation for the event. MFIRS Several fire departments and/or counties are not submitting MFIRS reports to the OSFM in a timely manner. MFIRS reports for each month should be forwarded to the OSFM by the tenth day of the following month. Please continue to remind MSFA member fire departments of the importance of submitting accurate and timely MFIRS reports to the OSFM.
Page Four Fire Prevention Week Governor O Malley proclaimed October 7-13, 2007, as Fire Prevention Week. The Office of the State Fire Marshal worked with local partners to promote Fire Prevention Week and the theme, Practice Your Fire Escape Plan. Additionally, Fire Prevention Week information was provided to various local media outlets. Mr. Chairman, members of the Maryland State Firemen s Association Executive Committee, this completes my report to you today. On behalf of Colonel Terrance B. Sheridan, Superintendent, Maryland State Police, it is our pleasure to provide you with this updated information. If the Office of the State Fire Marshal can ever be of assistance to the members of the Maryland State Firemen s Association, we are at your service. Thank you. # # #