Fire Marshal

The Cumberland County Fire Marshal’s Office within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection is staffed by one Fire Marshal, and three Deputy Fire Marshals. All personnel are qualified Fire/Arson Investigators who are responsible for investigating fires and explosions in the 11 townships that incorporate Cumberland County. The three cities within the County that make up the 14 municipalities maintain fire investigative services through their fire and police departments, although County investigators are available to assist these agencies as well if needed. All personnel in the Fire Marshal’s office are part –time and on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The office maintains records and statistics on causes of fires within Cumberland County. Investigators respond to scenes when requested by fire departments, police departments and the general public and examines the fire scene to determine the origin and cause of the fire.

Fire investigators investigate all types of fires. In cases where criminal activity is present or suspected, they work in conjunction with law enforcement agencies such as the New Jersey State Police and the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office. They also train fire departments, the general public and law enforcement regarding fire investigation and the responsibility of first responders.

Since January of 2011, the Cumberland County Fire Marshal’s Office has participated in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) national reporting system, BATS (Bomb Arson Tracking System). This valuable tool allows information to be shared nationally throughout various fire investigative agencies as a reporting system.

This software, provided to the County at no cost, is key to ensuring that essential information and statistics regarding fires within Cumberland County is not only recorded, but shared with other appropriate investigative agencies as well. The Office maintains fully equipped response units outfitted with all tools needed by investigators to conduct their scene examinations, document evidence, as well as ensure the safety of the investigator.