Fire Marshal is responsible for coordination of fire protection activities of the 19 volunteer fire departments providing contract fire protection throughout Warren County. The Fire Marshal's Office assists the departments with training, equipment needs and responds to major incidents.

The Warren County Fire Marshal's Office is directed by the Emergency Service Director/Fire Marshal.

FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE STAFF
Chris Wright: Fire Marshal Send Email
Gladys Favours: Administrative Assistant

• The primary functions of the Fire Marshal's Office are:
• Public education and training
• Emergency response/fire investigations
• Emergency management activities
• County fire department technical and administrative assistance
• Fire Commission

Q: Why does a fire truck come to my house when I call for an ambulance?
A: Fire departments in nine county fire districts provide first responder support in a medical emergency. Firefighters can provide life-saving intervention (such as CPR), remove the victim from a hazardous environment, dress wounds, and other basic life support until the EMS ambulance arrives.

Q: Where can I get a Fire Permit?
A: Fire permits are supervised by the NC Forestry and can be obtained through many licensed places in Warren County: (Warren Tire Service, Smoke House Store, Eaton’s Ferry Grocery & Grill, Walter Gardner, Hymons Grocery, Town of Norlina & Police Department, Spragins Store, Warren County Sheriff’s Office and Churchill Five Forks VFD).

Q: Who does Fire Inspections?
A: The Warren County Fire Marshal's Office inspects buildings fire code compliance and can be contacted at (252) 257-2666.

Fire Safety at Home

• Plan two escape routes out of each room
• Teach family members to stay low to the ground when escaping from a fire 
• Teach family members never to open doors that are hot, rather feel the bottom of the door with your hand. If it is hot, do not open the door. Find another way out
• Install smoke detectors. Clean and test smoke detectors once a month
• Change batteries at least once a year
• Keep a whistle in each bedroom to awaken household members
• Check electrical outlets. Do not overload outlets
• Purchase a fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type)
• Have a collapsible ladder on each upper floor of your house
• Consider installing home sprinklers

Escape Plan

• In a fire or other emergency, you may need to evacuate your home on a moment's notice. You should be ready to get out fast.
• Develop an escape plan by drawing a floor plan of your residence. Show the location of doors, windows, stairways, and large furniture as well as indicating the location of emergency supplies (Disaster Supplies Kit), fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, collapsible ladders, first aid kits, and utility shut off points. Next, chart at least two escape routes from each room
• Finally, mark a place outside of the home where household members should meet in case of fire. If your home has more than two floors, use an additional sheet of paper
• Practice emergency evacuation drills with all household members at least two times each year.

Fire Investigations

Another part of preventing fires is by fire investigations. By determining the cause and origin of a fire, the Fire Marshal’s Office can better educate and protect the public from the dangers of fire and possibly prevent repeat occurrences through public education. If a fire is determined to be suspicious or the result of arson, a full investigation is done by certified fire scene investigators to determine the circumstances surrounding the fire and to work through the courts to bring the fire setter to justice. Any information concerning suspicious fires should be reported to the Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office by calling (252) 257-2666. After hours call 252-257-3456 (911 Communications Center).