State Fire Marshal Visits Monroe County Fire Rescue Hot Shot Training Program

State Fire Marshal Visits Monroe County Fire Rescue Hot Shot Training Program

MARATHON, FL – The Monroe County Fire Rescue Hot Shot program received a special visit from State Fire Marshal Division Director Chief Julius Halas on Tuesday at the Joe London Fire Academy. Halas was in the Florida Keys attending the Florida Fire Sprinkler Association annual meeting at Hawks Cay.

Halas stressed the importance of education when he spoke to the fire academy trainees. He gave his personal history, which included being a high school dropout. He worked hard for his GED and continued his way through the ranks at fire academy and through the fire department. Halas now holds a master’s degree.

“Having the State Fire Marshal come by and tell his background really resonates with the trainees,” said Craig Marston, Monroe County Deputy Fire Marshal. “He is very accomplished and his impromptu speech for the Hot Shots was motivating.”

In Florida, the Division of State Fire Marshal oversees 35 fire training colleges in the state and is charged with the inspection of over 14,000 state buildings and another 16,000 public structures. Halas also serves as President the National Association of State Fire Marshals.

Regulatory Licensing Safety Program Manager Keith McCarty also visited the academy. His office is responsible for enforcing all laws relating to the licensing and regulation of the following industries: Fire Equipment, Engineered Fire Protection Systems, Explosives and Sparklers.

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