The Office of the Fire Marshal is staffed by a full-time Fire Marshal who also serves as the Chief of the Dept. of Fire Rescue and the Emergency Management Director, 7 Full-time Firefighters/Fire Inspectors/EMTs (one of which also serves as the Deputy Fire Marshal) and a full time Administrative Assistant/Fire Inspector/EMT. These same employees also make up the Department of Fire Rescue and the Office of Emergency Management. 

 

The Office of the Fire Marshal is responsible for enforcing the township fire code and certain local ordinances which pertain to fire safety. The primary method for enforcing the township fire code is the annual fire safety inspections performed in every commercial and industrial building, as well as schools and apartment buildings.  The Firefighters/Fire Inspectors/EMTs also perform annual fire safety inspections of all individual apartments within the apartment complexes. In addition, the Fire Marshal  reviews all non-residential construction plans, as they pertain to the installation of fire detection and suppression systems, as well as life safety issues. 

 

The Fire Marshal is also responsible for investigating the origin and cause of significant or suspicious fires. When the Fire Marshal determines the cause of a fire to be arson, the Fire Marshal will work with Bristol Township Detectives as they conduct the criminal investigation. The Fire Marshal will also work closely with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office in the prosecution of arson suspects.  

 

The Fire Marshal’s Office offers free home safety checks to residents and will assist residents should they need assistance changing the batteries in their smoke detectors. FREE smoke detectors are often available to residents who can not afford them.  

 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding fire safety, please do not hesitate to call the Fire Marshal for assistance Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 4:30pm at (267) 812-2938. You can also email the Fire Marshal at kdippolito@bristoltownship.org.