Ch. 352

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

6.

The State Fire Prevention Commission shall transmit [annually] to the Governor
and to the Secretary of [Public Safety and Correctional Services] THE STATE POLICE by
September thirtieth of each year an annual report of its activities.

7.

(a) (1) The office of State Fire Marshal is established as [part] AN AGENCY of
the Department of [Public Safety and Correctional Services] STATE POLICE.

(2) (i) The Secretary of [Public Safety and Correctional Services] THE
STATE POLICE shall appoint a State Fire Marshal for a six-year term from a list of 3
names submitted by the State Fire Prevention Commission.

(ii) The Fire Marshal is in the unclassified service of the State
Personnel Management System and can be removed by the Secretary of [Public Safety
and Correctional Services] THE STATE POLICE, at any time, for neglect of duty or other
conduct unbecoming the office. The Commission may recommend to the Secretary the
removal of the Fire Marshal for cause. Prior to removal, the Fire Marshal shall be given
timely notice by the Secretary with a statement of the charges and an opportunity in
person or by counsel for a public hearing thereon.

(iii) The State Fire Marshal shall receive the salary provided in the

State budget.

(iv) The State Fire Marshal shall be appointed in accordance with the
following qualifications:

1. Graduation from an accredited college or university[, with
specialized study in either the field of fire protection or engineering]; and

2. Five years of recent progressively responsible experience in
fire prevention inspection, fire investigation, fire safety promotion, fire protection
engineering, teaching fire safety engineering, or fire fighting, three years of which must
have been at the administrative level.

(b) The State Fire Marshal, by delegation of authority vested in the State Fire
Prevention Commission and within policy established by the State Fire Prevention
Commission, has all responsibility for the implementation of fire safety programs in the
State designated to minimize fire hazards and disasters and loss of life and property from
these causes. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the establishment and
enforcement of fire safety practices throughout the State, preventive inspection and
correction activities, coordination of fire safety programs with volunteer and paid fire
companies, and other State agencies and political subdivisions exercising enforcement
aspects, and critical analysis and evaluation of Maryland fire loss statistics for
determination of problems and solutions.

(c) (1) A fire marshal or appropriate fire official legally designated by a county
or municipal corporation of the State shall serve as assistant State fire marshal, without
compensation, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this article, including
issuance of orders, in that county or municipal corporation. Where there is no legally

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