Mayor Ron Littlefield said he is looking at a wide range of candidates for city fire marshal.

He said he has been taking applications for the past two months.

Mayor Littlefield said, “The fire marshal’s position is an important position and, just as we have done with every position, we’ve looked for the most qualified person, not necessarily the next person in line or one who thinks they are the next person in line, but for new talent, new blood and enthusiasm, and sometimes a new point of view for the job.”

Former Chattanooga Fire Marshal Tony Quarles retired on April 15, with 1,200 hours or six months of leave (which had to be budgeted and paid for.) Between April 15 and the time Chief Jim Coppinger retired, Chief Coppinger served in a dual role as fire chief and fire marshal as he was state certified to do so, it was stated.

Chief Coppinger retired Oct. 29.

Mayor Littlefield said, "Because Chief Coppinger retired on the cusp of the holidays, the selection process for qualified candidates has slowed dramatically."

Mayor Littlefield said he will make his announcement as soon as the holidays are over.

In the meantime, Mayor Littlefield says he’s been looking at candidates who may not have put their name in the hat. He said both male and female candidates have been considered.

He said, “It’s easy for someplace like the fire marshal’s office to fall into a pattern and you need to bring someone new in to break up the pattern and hopefully improve the way things function. That’s very likely what’s going to happen. There will be someone else, not from the fire marshal’s office, who will be appointed.”

Fire marshal responsibilities include:

Code enforcement of:

- New non-residential construction like: hotels, businesses, day care and prisons.

-Existing Buildings like: schools, mental health facilities and group daycare homes.

The fire marshal and his inspectors do not inspect residential dwellings unless a resident requests a fire safety inspection, it was stated.

“On any given year, the majority of fatal fires in Tennessee and Chattanooga occurred in residences,” said Randy Parker, Deputy Fire Chief. Chief Parker said the fire marshal does not inspect individual homes. Fire safety in the home, he said, is a matter of personal responsibility.

Here are some statistics related to fire deaths in Chattanooga over the past six years:

2005 7 deaths including the death today, 12-22-05

2004 9 deaths

2003 6 deaths

2002 8 deaths

2001 2 deaths

2000 3 deaths