(A) Appointment of Fire Marshal. The Board of Commissioners shall appoint the Fire Marshal, to serve at the will of the Board. The Fire Marshal shall have the assistants and employees as the Board may provide.
(B) Duties of the Fire Marshal. Subject to the approval of the State Building Code Council, the duties of the Fire Marshal shall include, but are not limited to:
(1) Keeping the County Manager and the Board of Commissioners informed of the progress and development of rural fire departments;
(2) Keeping the County Manager and the Board of Commissioners informed of any matters pertaining to the present and future expansion of rural fire departments;
(3) Acting as liaison between fire departments and the County Manager or Board of Commissioners;
(4) Aiding in organizing and developing new fire departments;
(5) Being the County Manager’s and Commissioners’ adviser concerning requirements of the state’s Fire Insurance Rating Bureau;
(6) Assisting in developing a comprehensive training program for all rural fire departments;
(7) Advising fire departments on equipment purchases and problems;
(8) Advising fire departments on the availability of civil defense surplus equipment;
(9) Making periodic inspections of all departments to see that they conform to the minimum standards of the state’s Fire Insurance Rating Bureau;
(10) Making fire prevention inspections of schools as required by G.S. Chapter 115C and of day care facilities as authorized by G.S. Chapter 110;
(11) Making inspections of places of public gathering relative to fire protection and fire prevention;
(12) Making investigations (along with other officials) of fires of a suspicious nature so as to determine their cause;
(13) Assisting fire departments in developing a fire prevention program in their respective districts;
(14) Assisting school authorities in developing a fire prevention program for each school;
(15) Coordinating all fire departments in a mutual aid program within the county;
(16) Coordinating the activities of all fire departments in a call system or calling system so that each department will be assured of prompt notification and response of all fire calls; and
(17) Administering this chapter.
(C) Electrical inspections. Neither the Fire Marshal nor his or her assistants shall make electrical inspections unless they are qualified to do so under G.S. § 153A-351.
(1984 Code, § 2-6-5) (Ord. passed 1-3-1978)
Statutory reference:
Fire Marshal and fire prevention codes, see G.S. § 153A-234
Fire prevention inspections in day care facilities, see G.S. § 110-91(5)
Inspectors, see G.S. §§ 153A-351 et seq.