AGENDA DATE: 6/1/2022
TITLE:
Title
Appointment of Assistant Fire Marshal
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Appointment of Captain Rueben R. Cowles as Assistant Fire Marshals with Police Powers
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Hudson, Farley, Eggleston, Lagomarsino
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Albemarle County Code § 6-111 establishes the Office of the Fire Marshal pursuant to Virginia Code § 27-30 and allows for the appointment of Assistant Fire Marshals pursuant to Virginia Code § 27-36. Albemarle County Code § 6-111 further provides that the Fire Marshal and/or Assistant Fire Marshals shall be authorized to exercise all of the powers authorized by Title 27 of the Virginia Code and the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code, which includes exercise of police powers as authorized by Virginia Code § 27-34.2.1.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality Government Operations - Ensure the County’s capacity to achieve high quality service that achieves Community priorities
DISCUSSION: The Department of Fire and Rescue’s budget allocates five full-time equivalent (FTE) positions in the Office of the Fire Marshal. Captain Rueben R. Cowles was transferred into the Office of the Fire Marshal to fill one vacant position, and he has successfully completed all the mandated training to fulfill the role of Assistant Fire Marshal with police powers as required by the Code of Virginia. Adoption of the attached resolution (Attachment A) appointing Captain Rueben R. Cowles as an Assistant Fire Marshal with police powers authorizes him to fulfill all the necessary duties of the Office of the Fire Marshal and to exercise the same powers as a sheriff, police officer, or other law enforcement officer as provided for in Title 27 of the Virginia Code and the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code.
BUDGET IMPACT: The appointment of Captain Cowles to this existing vacant position brings no additional budgetary impact.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached resolution (Attachment A) appointing Captain Rueben R. Cowles as an Assistant Fire Marshal with police powers.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Resolution to appoint Captain Rueben R. Cowles as an Assistant Fire Marshal with police powers.