Dinwiddie County staff told the Board of Supervisors Oct. 21 that revisions to the county code would make the county fire marshal a law-enforcement officer under the local code, with powers to arrest, procure and serve warrants, and issue summonses for violations of fire-prevention and related laws.

Talen Southwell, speaking for the county’s fire officials, said the proposed changes to Chapter 10, Article 3, would give the fire marshal "the same police powers as the sheriff, police officer, or other law enforcement officer" when exercised by a chief fire marshal or a deputy/assistant who has completed the required training. The proposal identifies investigation and enforcement responsibilities including hazardous-material investigations, firebombing and explosives offenses, false alarms and related crimes. The draft would also permit the fire marshal to issue, suspend and revoke permits, and to enter property for investigations where a release of hazardous materials is suspected.

Southwell said many provisions mirror practices in other jurisdictions and drew on Hanover County’s code. The county attorney’s office has worked to delineate responsibilities between the fire marshal’s office and the sheriff’s office; staff expects to return with the ordinance after consulting the sheriff’s office and to advertise the proposal for a public hearing at the November board meeting.

Why it matters: The proposed language would expand the fire marshal’s formal enforcement authority under local code and state law, subject to training requirements. The item was presented as a report; the board did not adopt the ordinance but asked staff to advertise it for public comment.

What’s next: Staff will share the draft with the sheriff’s office, finalize the ordinance language and advertise the proposed ordinance for the November meeting to allow public comment and formal action.