PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

As President of the Fire Marshals Association of West Virginia, I carry a deep sense of duty to lead this organization with integrity, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to our mission: protecting the lives and property of our fellow West Virginians through sound advocacy, education, and collaboration.

With over two decades in the Fire Service and nearly 10 years in Law Enforcement, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating consequences that can arise when fire safety is neglected. These are not just statistics, they are families, neighbors, and communities forever changed. Those experiences have strengthened my resolve to advocate for a culture that prioritizes prevention, preparedness, and personal responsibility.

Fire safety is not just a government function, it’s a shared responsibility. It requires each of us to do our part. That means standing firm on consistent enforcement of building and life safety codes. It means working side-by-side with our public officials, community leaders, and law-abiding citizens to ensure our state remains vigilant against preventable tragedies. And it means equipping our enforcement professionals with the tools, training, and support they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.

We cannot afford to be reactive, we must be proactive. Through focused education, practical training, and adherence to proven safety standards, we can make real progress in reducing fire-related injuries and fatalities. We must also embrace common-sense innovations and data-driven solutions that help us address risks before they become emergencies.

Many fire marshals, including myself, are not only safety professionals, we are law enforcement officers in accordance with WV State Law. We enforce the criminal laws of this state that are specifically designed to protect people from the dangers of fire and explosion. This is not a civil matter of convenience; it is a criminal matter of safety. I advocate strongly for the well-being of these officers, for their ability to perform their duties with the utmost integrity, and for them to be properly trained, equipped, and supported. They deserve to be safe as they carry out the essential and often dangerous work of protecting others throughout the mountain state.

As someone who believes deeply in service, accountability, and personal growth, I remain committed to learning every day. The challenges we face are complex, but through continued education and principled leadership, we can navigate them. Working with lawmakers and stakeholders who value safety, responsibility, and the protection of our communities, we can build policies that reflect the needs and values of our great state.

At the end of the day, this isn’t just about compliance, it’s about care. It’s about doing right by the people we serve. We owe it to every citizen in West Virginia to ensure that fire and life safety are not overlooked or taken for granted. That’s not just our professional obligation, it’s our moral one.

Together, through steady leadership, community outreach, and firm advocacy, we can uphold the safety and security of our communities. Let’s keep working, shoulder to shoulder, to build a stronger, safer West Virginia, rooted in responsibility, guided by principle, and driven by our duty to protect.

For West Virginia's Protection, 

Bobby C. Palmer, NFPA CFI II

President, FMAWV