Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year Announced

OCEAN CITY, MD (June 18, 2018) – Deputy State Fire Marshal Brandon Shepperd of the Southern Maryland Regional Office of the State Fire Marshal has been named the recipient of the: 2017 “James C. Robertson, Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year” award. State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci made the presentation during a ceremony at the Maryland State Firemen’s Association annual convention in Ocean City on June 18, 2018.

Deputy State Fire Marshal Brandon Shepperd was nominated by his supervisor, Deputy Chief Duane Svites. DSFM Shepperd was hired by the State Fire Marshal's Office in May 2015 and was assigned to the southern regional office. DSFM Shepperd led the southern region and responded to and initiated 39 initial fire investigations during 2017. Seventeen of the 39 fires he investigated were determined to be accidental in nature while 19 were arson or otherwise criminal in nature. DSFM Shepperd maintained an outstanding criminal case closure rate of 30% and executed thirteen arrests. DSFM Shepperd has placed a lot of focus on cell phone diagnosis and analysis and is becoming a statewide resources for all Deputy State Fire Marshal's across the state.