Fire Marshal

Fire Marshal Responsibilities

The fire marshal is responsible for the following activities: fire prevention and public education, fire investigations, fire safety inspections, commercial change of owner / change of tenant inspections, and enforcement of the township fire codes.

Fire Marshal Staff

• Michael J. Valyo, Township Fire Marshal
• Johnathan Kennedy, Deputy Fire Marshal

Fire Prevention & Public Education

The best time to control a fire is before it starts. The fire marshal has a varied assortment of brochures and information available to the public to show them how they can help prevent fires. Some of the topics covered in these brochures include fire safety during the holidays, fire safety checklists that can be used around the home, information on making home emergency escape plans, fire safety tips for seniors, electrical fire safety, outdoor fire safety, and carbon monoxide detectors. Residents are welcome to pick up brochures during business hours at the township building. Just as a reminder there is No Open Burning permitted in West Norriton Twp. Bon Fires are allowed on a Permitted Basis only.

Fire Investigations

The fire marshal's office is responsible for coordinating and conducting investigations of fires that occur within the township to determine their origin and cause. In the case of accidental fires, the information gathered is important to determine if defective products or processes were involved so that improvements may be made to prevent similar fires from occurring in the future.

If a fire is determined to be intentionally set, the fire marshal works closely with the West Norriton Police Department, the state police fire marshal, and Montgomery County Detective’s Arson Unit to find those responsible. Additionally, they follow through with prosecution and/or rehabilitation, including that of juvenile fire setters.

The information gathered from fires is used to update and improve the fire prevention programs described above.