Brian McGraw has been selected by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs to serve as State Fire Marshal, replacing Ed Altizer who retired earlier this year.

He will oversee a staff of fire marshals in five regional offices throughout the state tasked with providing safety to life and property from fire for the citizens of the commonwealth.

“Fire safety is something every Virginian should be cognizant of, and only through a holistic approach can we continue to raise awareness across the commonwealth,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran.

“Mr. McGraw comes from a background of proven success and brings a wealth of fire and emergency services knowledge and expertise to the table. That is why I am confident he will be a vital asset and resource for Virginia moving forward.”

To accomplish their mission, the State Fire Marshal’s Office that McGraw will lead provides a variety of services and programs including completing fire safety inspections in localities that do not have their own fire code official, conducting building plan reviews for fire safety measures, conducting construction inspections for fire safety systems in state buildings, providing assistance to local building and fire code officials and responding to complaints and questions from private citizens.

Additionally, the SFMO administers and enforces the state’s Reduced Cigarette Ignition Propensity program, issues permits for the storage, use and sale of explosives in areas with no local enforcement, and promotes fire safety and community risk reduction efforts to citizens of the commonwealth.

“We have a goal of substantially reducing fire related deaths in Virginia through community risk reduction efforts,” states VDFP Executive Director Melvin Carter. “Brian McGraw and his entire staff share that goal which we will be working diligently to achieve.”

McGraw has worked over 25 years as a fire protection engineer in both the private and public sector, as well as a firefighter/paramedic and deputy fire marshal with the Arlington County Fire Department.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in fire protection engineering from the University of Maryland, and he is certified as a Fire Inspector II, Fire Investigator II and Law Enforcement Officer through the Virginia Department of Fire Programs.

He is a long time member of the National Fire Protection Association, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and the International Code Council.