Fire Prevention &
Life Safety Division

The Fire Prevention and Life Safety Division is staffed with one Fire Marshal and five Lieutenants. This division has multiple responsibilities. They are responsible for the enforcement of fire codes and life safety codes. They perform plan reviews for all new construction or major remodeling and issue permits for tank removal, outdoor burning, and pyrotechnics. They perform daytime inspections of businesses and night inspections of nightclubs and bars to ensure the safety of the public. This division along with the assistance of the Suppression Division performs public education. They also maintain all fire reports and records for the Waco Fire Department

The Fire Prevention Division, referred to as the Fire Marshal's Office, is also responsible for investigating all fires. This includes conducting criminal investigations of arson fires, arresting those responsible for setting fires or committing crimes associated with fire and presenting testimony in the appropriate court of law. The personnel assigned to this division are certified fire fighters, inspectors, fire investigators or arson investigators. As arson investigators they are certified by the State of Texas as peace officers. The individuals that are assigned to this division are responsible for the compliance of close to 5,000 businesses to fire codes and life safety codes.

Fire Marshal: Jerry W. Hawk

After beginning his firefighting career with the Austin Fire Department, Fire Marshal Hawk joined the Waco Fire Department as a firefighter on February 26, 1977. Previously, he has held the position of Engineer, Station Lieutenant and Prevention Lieutenant. He was promoted to Fire Marshal on June 17, 1998 where he supervises the Fire Prevention and Life Safety Division.

E-mail: jerryh@ci.waco.tx.us