The staff of the Orange Fire Marshal's Office consists of a full-time Fire Marshal, a full-time Deputy Fire Marshal, 2 part-time Fire Inspectors, and a part-time Administrative Assistant. Our staff is charged with the duty to perform various duties, many of which are mandated by the Connecticut General Statutes. These duties include inspection of all properties, with the exception of one and two-family homes. The Fire Marshal is required to perform investigations as they pertain to the cause and origin of fires that occur in the Town of Orange. Our staff is mandated to issue permits for hazardous operations, which include but are not limited to the installation of permanent propane tanks and piping, heating fuel storage tanks, gasoline and diesel fuel storage tanks, blasting permits, and commercial fireworks displays. In addition to these mandated functions, the Fire Marshal's Office staff offers public fire prevention education programs to all who request a presentation.
All uniformed personnel attend many hours of training each year. Training courses include the latest Fire Safety Code theories, building construction procedures, fire investigation courses, fire protection systems, and many other subjects. The courses attended are in various locations throughout the State, as well as courses that have been offered at the National Fire Academy in Emmittsburg, MD. Fire Marshals, Deputy Fire Marshal's, and Fire Inspectors are required to maintain a minimum of thirty (30) hours of training in the field of fire prevention, hazardous materials operations and processes, and proper fire investigation procedures per year to maintain certification through the State of Connecticut Department of Public Safety.
In addition to attending many courses throughout the year, both Fire Marshal Smith and Deputy Fire Marshal Vincent are certified through the Connecticut State Fire Academy as Fire Service Instructors. As such, the Fire Marshal and his Deputy develop and deliver fire prevention and fire suppression programs to many of the fire departments in the New Haven and Fairfield Counties.