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Friday, January 31, 2020

RETIRING DEPUTY CHIEF STATE FIRE MARSHAL LEAVES 29-YEAR LEGACY

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             RETIRING DEPUTY CHIEF STATE FIRE MARSHAL             LEAVES 29-YEAR LEGACY

STATEWIDE (January 31, 2020) - After more than 29 years of service to the State of Maryland, Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Joseph Flanagan retired today from the Office of the State Fire Marshal. 
Deputy Chief Flanagan was born and raised in The Bronx of New York City and moved to Salisbury in 1988 to attend Salisbury University. Coming from a long family history in the fire service, including his father, who was the Deputy Chief Fire Marshal of New York City Fire Department, Flanagan embarked on his career on May 16, 1990, when he was hired by former State Fire Marshal Rocco J. Gabrielle. 
Flanagan graduated from the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy in September of 1990 and was assigned to the Lower Eastern Shore Office as a Deputy State Fire Marshal. In January 1999, Flanagan was promoted to Deputy Chief State Fire Marshal, commanding the same office he was initially assigned. In January 2005, after nearly a year in the acting capacity, former State Fire Marshal William Barnard promoted Flanagan to Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal. The role of Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal is a Field Operations Division management function involving the supervision and coordination of the agency's law enforcement activities in the field of fire prevention, fire safety inspections, fire investigations, and explosives control. Chief Deputy Flanagan was responsible for supervising five regions, the bomb squad, and the accelerants/explosives detection canine unit. He served as second in command to the State Fire Marshal and oversaw various administrative programs for the agency.
After nearly eight years, Flanagan voluntarily took the opportunity to return to his role as Deputy Chief of the Lower Eastern Shore Regional Office. During his tenure at the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Flanagan served as a K-9 handler as well as a Bomb Technician with the Bomb Squad. Flanagan served as Acting State Fire Marshal multiple times throughout his years as Chief Deputy. 
Upon Flanagan being asked about his storied career and what he could pass on to future members of the agency after his retirement, "It's essential never to forget where you came from. While we don't live in history, history is where we came from. I have been honored to serve the State of Maryland, and I am forever grateful and appreciative of the opportunities and relationships during my career" stated Flanagan. 
Chief Flanagan Retirement
Deputy Chief State Fire Marshal Joseph Flanagan being presented his badge & retirement credintials by Chief Deputy Gregory Der

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

No respect for him. As a kid a friend and I camped out in my grandmothers yard and heard the firetrucks go by. At that point we and my grandmother and family all sat on her steps and watched a shed that had caught fire along with the firetrucks all do its thing and days later me and my friend were accused of the crime. Ended up going to court over it too being found not guilty from a lack of evidence. He didn't investigate jack, he just accused someone almost randomly that was on the same street.

I'm 40 now and have no reason to lie, we didn't start a fire. He lied at worst, or was completely incompetent at best.

Anonymous said...

Joe is one heck of a man. Our community is better off because of Joe Flannagan. Thank you Sir for your years of service an community service.

Anonymous said...

Another New York carpetbagger.

lmclain said...

The only thing I saw was a guy dressed like he was going to WalMart....not a function where he would be honored and held as an example.....
Does he have ANY respect for himself, for his office, or for the people who are honoring him??
Was he going to a Bingo game at the VFW afterwards???
Jeez....

Anonymous said...

I remember him as a volunteer fireman in Salisbury Station #1. He always supported the wrong people and it was very cult-like. This clown can not think on his own and he is very creepy.

Anonymous said...

He and his dumb brother, Hollis, idolized Tony Sterling. Enough said....

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
No respect for him. As a kid a friend and I camped out in my grandmothers yard and heard the firetrucks go by. At that point we and my grandmother and family all sat on her steps and watched a shed that had caught fire along with the firetrucks all do its thing and days later me and my friend were accused of the crime. Ended up going to court over it too being found not guilty from a lack of evidence. He didn't investigate jack, he just accused someone almost randomly that was on the same street.

I'm 40 now and have no reason to lie, we didn't start a fire. He lied at worst, or was completely incompetent at best.

January 31, 2020 at 10:44 PM

I agree with you. His investigative skills left a lot to be desired. He only got promoted through the ranks because he is one of the best a$$ kissers that ever came through the Fire Marshal's office.