The State Public Safety Article, Title 6, Subtitle 3 establishes the Office of the State Fire Marshal and provides for the local appointment of an Assistant State Fire Marshal (County Fire Chief) who designates Special Assistant State Fire Marshals (Fire/Explosives Investigators), who serve at the pleasure of the State Fire Marshal, to carry out the provisions of this article.
On August 3, 1972, under authority of Article 5, Section 547 of the Anne Arundel County Charter, the Fire Department was granted the power to investigate all fires of suspicious origin and to make arrests where appropriate.
Under Article 15 Title 3 - Fire Prevention Code, the Fire Chief, and other personnel as are designated, have the same general police powers, including arrest powers, as sworn members of the Anne Arundel County Police Department for the express purpose of enforcing any fire safety law in effect in this county. Under the power granted in these Articles the Division Chief of the Fire Marshal’s Division and personnel assigned to the Investigation Section are authorized to carry an approved firearm both on and off duty. |
