Fire Marshal

General Information

Contacts:	Mark Morrison - Fire Marshal
Location:	1 Main Street Stafford Springs, CT 06076
Phone:	(860) 851-8103
Fax:	(860) 684-1782
Emails:	firemarshal@staffordct.org (Fire Marshal)
Hours:	Monday - Wednesday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Thursdays - 8:00am-6:30pm Office Hours by appointment

The local Fire Marshal is required to perform a variety of important duties. The principal function is to administer the Connecticut Fire Safety Code as it relates to the Town of Stafford's buildings and structures.
 
Fire Marshal Duties Include:

• Annually inspection of all buildings and facilities of public service and occupancies regulated by the "Code"
• Investigation of all fires and explosions that occur in the Town of Stafford
• Investigate all complaints of fire safety concerns
• Issuance of permits for the use, transportation and storage of explosives
• Enforces the Connecticut Regulations for flammable and combustible liquids 
• Annually inspects all storage plants,  and equipment at bulk storage plants for the storage and transportation of hazardous chemicals.
• Conducts site inspections of all fireworks and special effects displays for compliance with applicable State Legislation
• Inspects and enforces the Connecticut requirements regarding the sale and use of sparklers
• Inspect tents and portable structures for compliance with the Connecticut Fire Safety Code
• Conducts plan reviews on all new and existing buildings for applicable fire code requirements with the building official
• Provide safety tips, public education and give fire safety advice to the general public
• Enforces and performs all requirements regarding the Town of Stafford Fire Prevention and Protection Fee Ordinance 7-10, regulating inspections, permits and open burning.

Stafford Open Burning Regulations
Prior to burning, the resident, or individual seeking to burn on the residential property where he or she resides, must have a valid, signed permit from one of the Stafford Open Burning Officials. The permit does not relieve the permittee of any legal liability, which may be incurred as a result of the fire. Open burning is limited to the burning of brush only. Brush is defined as shrubs, vegetation or prunings, the diameter of which is not greater than three inches at the widest point. Leaves and grass are not considered brush. Open burning is not allowed for the purpose of clearing land, or for the disposal of construction debris, household trash, or leaves. Contractors are not allowed to burn during construction phase. Permits must be requested by the resident in advance of the day they wish to burn, as there are many factors the Open Burning Official must review before authorizing anyone to conduct open burning.
Burn permits may be obtained from the Stafford Fire Marshal’s Office located at the town hall, Monday thru Wednesday 8:00am to 4:30pm, Thursdays from 8:00am to 6:30pm, or by contacting the Open Burning Officials: Mark Morrison- (860) 851-8103. 

All Burn Permits are issued subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

1. Open burning of brush and similar vegetation is limited to the residential property upon which the permittee actually resides. Neighbors should be advised of the burning beforehand to prevent unwarranted calls to the fire department.
2. The permittee must take all reasonable steps to limit excessive smoke and promote complete combustion of the material being burned. Burning in barrels is not permitted.
3. The area surrounding the burn should first be wet down, or other steps taken to limit the possible spread of the burn. A source of water for extinguishment should be provided in the event the fire unexpectedly increases in size. Burning must be attended at all times.
4. The written permit must be available for inspection at the site during the actual burn.
5. Burning shall only take place between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on a sunny or partly sunny day when the wind does not exceed 15 mph. All burning may be prohibited on days when atmospheric conditions create an increased danger of brush and forest fires.
6. Before igniting a fire, the permittee must check Fire and Air Quality Indexes at the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (D.E.E.P.) website Forest Fire Danger Index & Air Quality Index to see if burning is allowed in the region, this must be done each time. Do not call 911, the Dispatch Center or any of the fire houses for this approval.
7. Any Open Burning that creates any type of nuisance or anyone not following the rules will have their permit revoked and burning privileges will be lost.
8. Burning shall be stopped immediately upon order of the Stafford Fire Marshal, any officer of the local fire department, designated Municipal Official responsible for enforcing the open burning laws and ordinances, or any official of the Health Department of DEEP.

Penalties
Failure to adhere to the conditions of the permit may result in penalties and/or enforcement actions. There may be additional requirements or special conditions applied to your open burning permit.

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