PORT ANGELES — Annette Warren has been named Clallam County fire marshal.
Warren, a code compliance officer in the Department of Community Development, will keep her existing duties while serving as the point person for fire issues at the county level.
Community Development Director Mary Ellen Winborn introduced Warren at the Board of County Commissioners meeting last week.
For the past 20 years, Clallam County has combined the duties of building official and fire marshal.
“With all the development over the past 20 years in the unincorporated areas of the county and the current threats of wildfires, it seemed appropriate to go back to the traditional fire marshal as our central coordinator, educator and the go-to individual in our county for fire,” Winborn said.
Fire marshal duties
The county fire marshal works with the chiefs of the various Clallam County fire districts, enacts burn bans and makes sure buildings have fire sprinklers and fire alarms and are designed for fire protection.
Former DCD Director Sheila Roark Miller assumed the duties of fire marshal and building official after taking office in 2011.
Warren, who began working for the county in January 1995, became fire marshal last month.
Winborn said she hopes to hire a building official by the end of the year.
A third-generation North Olympic Peninsula resident, Warren worked as a permit technician and building inspector before she became a code compliance officer, Winborn said.
“Annette’s our Steve Gray of the building division,” said Winborn, referring to the planning manager and deputy director.
“That’s a compliment.”
Kevin Russell, president of the North Peninsula Building Association, joined commissioners in welcoming Warren as the new fire marshal at the June 2 board meeting.
“We’ve worked with her for a long time,” Russell said.
“We appreciate her hard work.”
He added: “We’re here to support her in the best way we can and look forward to a fruitful relationship.”
Said Warren: “I appreciate the warm welcome — no fire pun intended.
“I’ll do my very best,” she said.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
