State Agencies

tance to innocent victims of crime. The Board
consists of three members appointed by the Secre-
tary of Public Safety and Correctional Services,
with the approval of the Governor and the advice
and consent of the Senate, for five-year terms
(Chapter 518, Acts of 1982). No more than two
members may belong to the same political party.
One member must have been admitted to the
practice of law in Maryland for not less than five
years prior to appointment. The Governor desig-
nates the chairperson. The Board appoints the ex-
ecutive director through the State Merit System.

The Board was established to fulfill the legisla-
ture's intent that aid, care, and support be
provided by the State, as a matter of moral re-
sponsibility, for innocent persons suffering physi-
cal injury or death as a result of criminal acts or
in their efforts to prevent crime or apprehend per-
sons committing or attempting to commit crimes
as provided in the Act. The Board maintains an
office and staff to hear claims for awards filed
with it (Code 1957, Art. 26A).

FIRE PREVENTION COMMISSION
AND FIRE MARSHAL

FIRE PREVENTION COMMISSION

Chairperson: Leslie B. Thompson, 1987
Vice-Chairperson: Merhl D. Remsberg, 1984

Julius E. LeBrell, 1983; Daniel B. Smith, Sr.,
1983; Kenneth M. Prinkey, 1984; C. Oscar
Baker, 1985; Earl W. Smith, 1986.

FIRE MARSHAL

Rocco J. Gabriele, Fire Marshal
John H. Farrell, Chief Fire Investigator
John F. Bender, Chief Fire Protection Engineer

301 West Preston Street
Baltimore 21201 Telephone: 383-2520

The Fire Prevention Commission was estab-
lished by Chapter 46, Acts of 1964, to replace the
position of ex officio Fire Marshal held by the In-
surance Commissioner by Chapter 521, Acts of
1916. The Commission consists of nine members
appointed by the Secretary of Public Safety and
Correctional Services with the approval of the
Governor for five-year terms. Of the members,
one must be a paid fire company member, three
must be members of volunteer fire companies,
two must be representatives of industry, one must
be an architect or engineer, one must be a build-

Public Safety and Correctional Services/289

ing contractor, and one must represent the gener-
al public. One member must represent Western
Maryland, one Central Maryland, one Southern
Maryland, one the Washington Metropolitan
area, one the Eastern Shore, and four the State at
large. The Commission promulgates regulations
for the safeguarding of life and property from fire
and explosion. It also serves as a board of ap-
peals for matters connected with the enforcement
of the Fire Code and interpretation of conflicts
with local codes.

Appointed by the Secretary of Public Safety
and correctional Services, the State Fire Marshal
enforces all laws of the State dealing with preven-
tion of fires; electrical safety; storage, sale, and
use of explosives, combustibles, and other danger-
ous articles in solid, liquid, or gas form. He also
enforces all State laws on installation and mainte-
nance of equipment of all sorts intended for fire
control, detection, and extinguishment; means
and adequacy of exits in case of fire for buildings
except from private dwellings; and suppression of
arson (Code 1957, Art. 38A).

HANDGUN PERMIT REVIEW BOARD

Chairperson: Donald A. Westcott, 1984

Elmer E. Horsey, 1983; H. Theodore Frantum,
Jr., 1984; Rev. Mervin C. Gray, 1984; Oscar T.
Jobe, 1985.

One Investment Place
Suite 500
Towson 21204 Telephone: 321-3686

The Handgun Permit Review Board was creat-
ed by Chapter 13, Acts of 1972, as emergency
legislation dealing with the wearing, carrying, or
transporting of handguns. The law became effec-
tive on March 27, 1972. The Board is composed
of five members appointed from the general pub-
lic by the Governor with the advice and consent
of the Senate for three-year terms. Members are
eligible for reappointment.

Any person whose application for a permit or
renewal of a permit has been rejected or whose
permit has been revoked or limited may request
the Board to review the decision of the Superin-
tendent of the Maryland State Police. The Board
has the power to either sustain, reverse, or modi-
fy the decision of the Superintendent upon a re-
view of the record, or conduct a hearing within
ninety days after receipt of the request (Code
1957, Art. 27, sec. 36E).

INMATE GRIEVANCE COMMISSION

Chairperson: Anthony W. Robinson, 1983