What does the Fire Marshal do?

 (b) Each local  Fire Marshal shall inspect or cause to be inspected, at least once each calender year or as often as prescribed by the State Fire Marshal  pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, in the interests of public safety, all buildings and facilities of public service and all occupancies regulated by the Fire Safety Code within the local Fire Marshal's jurisdiction, except residential buildings designed to be occupied by one or two families which shall be inspected, upon complaint or request of an owner or occupant, only for the purpose of determining whether the requirements specified in said codes relative to smoke detection and warning equipment have been satisfied. In the case of a school building, each local fire marshal shall submit a written report to the local or regional board  of Ed documenting each such inspection. 

In Washington, the local fire marshal's responsibilities also include investigating all fires, including open burning complaints, responding to gas leaks, carbon monoxide calls or oil spills, as well as working as a liason for Washington Fire Department with various agencies. We also inspect tents and other membrane structures, issue and inspect for blasting permits. We perform Fire Prevention and Education for schools, businesses, clubs and associations as requested. We also oversee and inspect all fire works displays.