(a)
Fire Marshal. The County Commissioners of
Worcester County are hereby authorized to create and establish the
office of Fire Marshal of Worcester County and to appoint a Fire Marshal.
The Fire Marshal shall be an employee of Worcester County and shall
enjoy all benefits and privileges of a regular employee of the County;
provided, however, that the Fire Marshal may be removed by the County
Commissioners for cause, upon written and sworn charges, after a hearing
at which the Fire Marshal shall have an opportunity to be heard. The
Fire Marshal shall receive such compensation as the County Commissioners
shall determine. The salary and expenses of the office of the Worcester
County Fire Marshal shall be paid by the County Commissioners and
shall be in such amounts as the County Commissioners may from time
to time determine necessary and appropriate.
[Amended 11-19-2019 by Bill No. 19-9]
(b)
Appointment of incumbent. The County Commissioners,
upon the effective date hereof, may appoint the then-serving Fire
Marshal as Fire Marshal of Worcester County hereunder.
(c)
Powers and duties. The Worcester County Fire
Marshal shall be the official charged with the administration and
enforcement of the Fire Prevention Code of Worcester County and shall
have such other powers and duties as the County Commissioners may
from time to time determine.
(d)
Fire investigation authority. The Worcester
County Fire Marshal shall be the official charged with investigating
and determining origin and cause of fires. The Fire Marshal, Deputy
Fire Marshals and Fire Investigators shall have the powers and authority
of a police officer so far as relates to violations of law pertaining
to fire-related matters. The powers of fire investigators also include,
but are not limited to, those referenced in the Annotated Code of
Maryland, as from time to time amended.
[Added 10-20-1998 by Bill No. 98-23]
The Fire Marshal and any inspectors which may be appointed to
enforce the Fire Prevention Code and the rules and regulations adopted
pursuant thereto shall have the power and authority at all reasonable
times to enter upon and into any and all public buildings, stores,
warehouses, factories or any other structures or premises, except
private single-family dwellings, within the limits of Worcester County
for the purpose of examining and inspecting the same for the purpose
of making effective the provisions of the Fire Prevention Code and
the rules and regulations adopted under authority of this Subtitle
or other law.
