Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Deputy Fire Marshal

🎯 Role Definition

The Deputy Fire Marshal is a senior public-safety professional responsible for implementing and enforcing fire prevention programs, conducting complex inspections and plan reviews, investigating fires and possible arson, and ensuring compliance with local, state, and national fire and life-safety codes (IFC, NFPA, IBC). This position supports the Fire Marshal in policy development, community risk reduction, staff supervision, interagency coordination, and the continuous improvement of fire prevention services. The ideal candidate combines technical expertise in fire protection systems, building construction and hazardous materials with strong investigative, communication, and leadership skills.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Fire Inspector II / Senior Fire Inspector
Firefighter / Company Officer with fire prevention experience
Fire Investigator or Plans Examiner

Advancement To:

Fire Marshal
Division Chief – Fire Prevention or Life Safety
Emergency Services Director / Public Safety Director

Lateral Moves:

Building Official / Code Enforcement Supervisor
Plans Review Manager (private sector)
Risk Management / Safety Program Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead, plan and perform complex fire and life-safety inspections for new construction, tenant improvements, assembly occupancies, hazardous materials facilities, high-rise buildings, and other regulated occupancies to ensure construction and operations comply with the International Fire Code (IFC), NFPA standards, and local amendments.
Conduct thorough plan reviews of architectural, mechanical, fire protection (sprinklers, standpipes), and fire alarm/control systems submittals, providing code interpretations, required corrections, and clear written approval conditions for building permits.
Investigate origin and cause of structural and wildland-urban interface fires, document evidence, interview witnesses, coordinate with law enforcement and forensic laboratories, and prepare technical investigative reports suitable for criminal or civil proceedings.
Manage and supervise daily operations of the Fire Prevention unit in the absence of the Fire Marshal, including assigning inspections, overseeing plan review workloads, and ensuring timely permit processing and enforcement actions.
Enforce fire code violations through progressive compliance measures: issue notices of violation, notices to comply, administrative orders, coordinate abatement, and when necessary, prepare cases for municipal hearings or court prosecution.
Evaluate and approve fire protection system design changes and fire protection equivalency requests; coordinate required testing and commissioning of life-safety systems prior to certificate of occupancy issuance.
Oversee hazardous materials permitting and inspections, review Hazardous Materials Management Plans, provide consultation on storage, transport, and mitigation of flammable/combustible liquids, compressed gases, and other regulated substances.
Develop, implement, and measure community risk reduction programs focused on fire prevention, public education, smoke alarm installation campaigns, business outreach, and targeted inspection programs for high-risk populations.
Provide technical guidance and training to fire department personnel, building officials, contractors, and business owners on code updates, NFPA standards (e.g., NFPA 1, NFPA 72, NFPA 13), and life-safety best practices.
Coordinate plan review and inspection activities with building departments, public works, utilities, and emergency management to streamline permitting, ensure consistent code interpretation, and reduce project delays.
Prepare detailed, defensible inspection and investigation reports, maintain accurate records in fire prevention permitting and inspection databases, and produce periodic performance metrics and compliance trend analyses.
Respond to complex incidents as a technical advisor or incident commander liaison, providing guidance on building systems, hazardous materials, fire behavior, and life safety considerations during emergency operations.
Provide expert testimony in administrative hearings and court proceedings regarding code violations, fire origin and cause findings, and corrective action requirements.
Review and recommend local fire code amendments and policy updates; participate in municipal code adoption processes and represent the department in public hearings and stakeholder meetings.
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate inspectors and administrative staff; develop training plans, conduct performance reviews, and participate in hiring and disciplinary actions to maintain a high-performing prevention team.

Secondary Functions

Maintain and improve inspection, permitting, and investigation workflows through adoption of technology (inspection mobile apps, GIS mapping, and digital plan review) and by keeping up to date with industry best practices.
Lead or participate in multi-agency investigations (arson task forces), grant-supported projects, and special task groups addressing wildfire mitigation, high-rise safety, or critical infrastructure resiliency.
Coordinate and manage fire watch and temporary safety requirements during construction, systems outages, or large events; issue permits and verify implementation of interim protective measures.
Review and provide comments on site development, occupancy load calculations, means of egress, emergency access, and fire department connections to proactively prevent code conflicts or safety deficiencies.
Track and audit third-party testing and inspection records for private fire protection contractors and ensure compliance with required testing frequencies and NFPA standards.
Develop and deliver public education materials, presentations, and media communications on topics such as smoke alarms, sprinkler benefits, fire safety planning, and business fire prevention responsibilities.
Maintain mutual aid and partner agency relationships; coordinate cross-jurisdictional inspections, joint training, and regional hazard mitigation planning.
Support budget planning for the Fire Prevention Division by estimating staffing needs, equipment and technology requirements, and recommending capital improvements related to life-safety inspections and testing.
Assist in complaint investigations from the public or businesses related to code compliance, nuisance alarms, or hazardous conditions; document resolution steps and ensure timely closure.
Monitor legislative and regulatory changes at the state and national level affecting fire code adoption, NFPA standards, hazardous materials regulations, and recommended enforcement practices.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

In-depth knowledge of the International Fire Code (IFC), NFPA standards (including NFPA 1, NFPA 13, NFPA 72, NFPA 101), and International Building Code (IBC) for code interpretation, plan review, and enforcement.
Certified Plans Examiner or equivalent experience with fire protection system plans (automatic sprinkler systems, standpipes, fire pumps) and fire alarm system review and acceptance testing.
Fire origin and cause investigation skills, including evidence preservation, chain of custody procedures, scene documentation, witness interviewing, and report writing; preferred certified Fire Investigator (CFI) or equivalent.
Hazardous materials regulatory knowledge (HAZMAT), including storage, labeling, handling, and permitting requirements for flammable and combustible liquids, compressed gases, and regulated chemicals.
Proficiency with permitting and inspection software, digital plan review platforms, and GIS-based mapping tools to manage inspections, track compliance, and analyze risk exposure.
Familiarity with building construction methods, structural systems, means of egress design, occupancy classification, and life-safety system integration.
Ability to interpret engineering and architectural drawings, specifications, and construction documents; coordinate technical corrections and clarifications with design professionals.
Competency in preparing legal documentation, administrative orders, and court-ready reports; experience providing sworn testimony in administrative or criminal proceedings.
Knowledge of emergency operations and incident command system (ICS) integration to provide technical support during active incidents or multi-agency responses.
Experience with programmatic data analysis and generating performance metrics to drive community risk reduction strategies and resource allocation.

Soft Skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills for explaining complex technical code requirements clearly to architects, contractors, building officials, business owners, and the public.
Leadership and team management skills to supervise inspectors, prioritize workloads, and foster professional development and accountability.
Sound judgment and decision-making under pressure, especially when evaluating life-safety risks during inspections, plan reviews, or emergency responses.
Conflict resolution and negotiation skills when achieving voluntary compliance with businesses and property owners while enforcing public safety mandates.
Attention to detail and strong organizational skills for maintaining comprehensive records, chaining investigative evidence, and following up on corrective actions.
Customer-service orientation balanced with firmness in enforcement to maintain positive community relations while ensuring compliance.
Analytical and critical-thinking abilities to evaluate complex site conditions, propose pragmatic fire protection solutions, and adapt existing codes to unique situations.
Initiative and continuous learning mindset to stay current with evolving codes, technologies, and fire prevention best practices.
Political acumen and public-facing skills useful when participating in council meetings, stakeholder outreach, or public education campaigns.
Collaboration and interpersonal skills for working with building departments, law enforcement, utility providers, and other municipal stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED required; equivalent combination of relevant experience and certifications may be considered.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Fire Protection Engineering, Public Administration, Fire Prevention Technology, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Fire Science / Fire Protection Technology
Fire Protection Engineering
Public Administration / Emergency Management
Building Construction / Architectural Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5–10+ years of progressive experience in fire prevention, fire inspections, plan review, or fire investigations; prior supervisory or lead inspector experience preferred.

Preferred:

Several years of hands-on inspection and plan review experience for commercial/high-rise/industrial occupancies.
Prior experience investigating fires and working with legal processes.
Certifications such as Certified Fire Inspector (CFI), Certified Fire Plans Examiner (CFPE), Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI), NFPA-related certifications, and state or local fire inspector credentials.
Familiarity with local code adoption processes and experience coordinating with municipal permitting and building departments.

If you would like, I can tailor this description to your municipality's specific codes (state amendments), preferred certification requirements, or include a standardized job posting for an applicant tracking system (ATS).