The Orange County government recently named Elizabeth Farnan as its new fire marshal after an extensive search process.
Farnan served as the Acting Fire Marshal since this summer, until she was promoted and officially began her duties on September 25.

Elizabeth Farnan was named the new Orange County Fire Marshal (Photo via Orange County)
“I am very honored for the opportunity to serve as the Fire Marshal for Orange County,” Farnan said. “Some of my goals and visions in serving Orange County are promoting every home having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, implementing more fire and life safety educational programs and working with all our partners to build a solid Community Risk Reduction Dashboard. I look forward to continuing the efforts of the previous Fire Marshals in furthering the legacy of the Fire Marshal Division’s commitment to life safety, community service and risk reduction for all.”
Farnan has been with Orange County since 1994, where she started as a telecommunicator. Since then she has worked in firefighting roles with the Town of Carrboro, Orange County and Chapel Hill Fire Departments. She has served as Assistant Fire Marshal with Orange County Emergency Services since October 2009.
“I am confident that her 27 years of experience and wealth of knowledge will serve the county well,” said Orange County Emergency Services Director Kirby Saunders.
Duties of the Fire Marshal include enforcing the North Carolina State Building Code, Fire Prevention Code and local ordinances. Farnan will also oversee Orange County’s fire prevention, fire response, fire suppression and fire investigation programs.
Featured photo via Orange County.
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