The McDowell County Office of the Fire Marshal supports fire and life safety throughout the county by working closely with local fire departments, schools, businesses, and community partners. The office provides inspections, investigations, public education, and emergency management services to protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure from fire, explosions, and natural hazards.
The State of North Carolina requires routine fire inspections to be conducted for commercial occupancies within our jurisdiction. The frequency of these inspections is based on occupancy classification and is outlined below:
Annual Inspections
For multi-family occupancies, inspections are limited to interior common areas and do not include individual dwelling units.
Biennial Inspections (Every 2 Years)
Triennial Inspections (Every 3 Years)
When requested, the Fire Marshal’s Office assists McDowell County’s volunteer and combination fire departments in determining fire cause and origin.
Investigators conduct thorough scene examinations, interviews, and documentation, and coordinate with law enforcement when criminal activity is suspected. These investigations help identify hazards, prevent future incidents, and support accurate reporting.
Heating-Fire-Safety-Handout.pdf
Winter-Holiday-Fires-Infographic-Spanish.pdf
Winter-Holiday-Fires-Infographic.pdf
Heating-Fire-Safety-Handout-Spanish.pdf
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Safety.pdf
Wildfire-Evacuation-Checklist.pdf
NFPA Home Fire Escape Plan.pdf
ES Deputy Director/Fire Marshal
Andrew Pressley
129 Barnes Rd.
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652‑3241
Fire Inspector
Mackenzie Burnette
Level III Fire Inspector
129 Barnes Rd.
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652‑3241
Fire Investigators- FIT Sam Robinson, FIT Donnie Tipton, FIT Andrew Worley, FIT Thomas Lael, FIT Brad Washburn, FIT Ronald Morgan, FIT Corey Presnell, FIT Gavin Wood
