June 19, 2019 Senior Fire Marshal Nicholas Kefalos was sworn in today as the new Chief Fire Marshal for the Town of Smithtown. Kefalos has been with the Town since 2004, starting as a Fire Marshal and then being promoted to a Senior Fire Marshal. Nick takes over for Richard McKay, who retired December. Nick heads up a 12 man Fire Prevention Division within the Department of Public Safety.
Smithtown Fire Marshals are sworn New York State peace officers charged with the enforcement of state and local fire prevention laws. Law enforcement training is provided through the Nassau and/or Suffolk County police and sheriff’s academies. The Fire Marshals are certified fire investigators and also registered by the state as fire code enforcement officials. Fire Marshals maintain other required certifications in disciplines such as hazardous materials response and handling, safety officer, Fire safety education, training officer, incident command and emergency management.
Fire Marshals conduct code compliance and life safety inspections of commercial and municipal sites. Reports are provided to administrators and owners which list items in need of corrective action. Determinations are made if businesses are required to obtain any operating permits issued by the division.
Fire Marshals respond to fire scenes to perform the investigation necessary to determine the origin and cause of the fire. While performing investigations, Fire Marshals work with the detectives from the Suffolk Police Departments Arson Squad, NYS Park Police, Village police officers, Federal agencies such as the BATF and the FBI, department of health and social service officials and other various agencies.
Fire Marshals also respond to life safety incidents involving town properties and town personnel for documentation, mitigation and corrective action. Because the town of Smithtown is host to the largest industrial park in the country, there is concern also for hazardous material incidents. Daily, Fire Marshals gather information relative to the handling and use of such materials.
Fire Marshals offer fire safety education programs to a variety of audiences, including schools, health care facilities, skilled care facilities and industrial facilities and civic groups. Training sessions are also provided to town employees in a variety of topics, including but not limited to; fire prevention, CPR, workplace hazard recognition, etc. Best of luck Chief Kefalos.
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