Mission Statement
The members of the Fire Marshal's Office dedicate their efforts to providing a secure and superior quality of life for the citizens, visitors, and investors through code enforcement, education and fire investigations. The members further commit to cooperative relationships with other public safety organizations and code enforcement groups with common goals.
Members assigned to Fire Investigations are responsible for determining the origin and cause of every fire and investigations involving explosions and explosive materials. Those assigned to the Investigations Division are sworn law enforcement officers and work closely with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Two Captains serve as Deputy Fire Marshals supervising the daily operations. Currently, there are nine Assistant Fire Marshals assigned to inspections, 3 civilian fire inspectors, 4 part-time fire inspectors and 5 Assistant Fire Marshals assigned to Investigations.
joined the Virginia Beach Fire Department in January of 1990. He currently serves as the Fire Marshal. The primary duty of the Fire Marshal is to provide oversight for Fire inspectors, Fire Investigators, and Life safety educators as they strive to keep the community safe.
Chief Ramsey is a member of Tidewater Regional Arson Panel, Va. Fire Chiefs Assoc., International Assoc. Fire Chiefs, International Association Bomb Technicians/Investigators, International Code Council and is the regional Representative for the Va. Fire Prevention Association. He has completed these certifications in accordance with the Virginia Standard (13 VAC 5-21) to include NFPA 1031, NFPA 1033, CORE, and Advanced Code Official. Chief Ramsey holds a BS degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University
Chief Ramsey’s additional course work includes the Fire Marshal law enforcement academy, Post Blast investigation school, West Point leadership and an Associate degree in Fire Science.
Deputy Fire Marshals
Captain Timothy Scott is responsible for the Environmental Crimes Task Force, the Hotel Motel Task Force, Plans Review for new construction, Establishment Review Task Force, Open Burning Permits, Hoarding issues, Life Safety Inspections and the daily supervision of fire inspections and fire investigations. He also manages Inspectors assigned to Plans Review and is the liaison to the Clean Community Commission.
Chris Francis Bio (coming soon)
Pepe- Accelerant Canine was acquired through a memorandum of understanding with the US Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms Agency (ATF) at no cost to the Department. Pepe's specializes in the detection of twenty-one different types of accellerants. He recertifies on an annual basis. Pepe earns his meals through training exercises by his handler, Fire Investigator, Rob Putz. Pepe and Investigaotr Putz are part of a National Task Force that is coordinated through the ATF. Pepe is a very friendly yellow lab and is a great contributing member to the Fire Marshal's office. Pepe's responsibilities are not limited to the city of Virginia Beach as he has been utilized regionally for several fire investigations.
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