Rock Island names new Deputy Fire Chief

Rock Island has a new Deputy Fire Chief.

Fire Marshal Greg C. Marty has been promoted to Deputy Fire Chief effective July 17. He was hired by the Rock Island Fire Department on August 20, 2001. He received promotions to Lieutenant on August 13, 2007, to Captain on November 29, 2010 and to Fire Marshal (Battalion Chief) on January 21, 2013.

Marty improved the efficiency of the fire investigation division as Fire Marshal by increasing the number of investigators and investing in new tools and better personal protective equipment. He was Rock Island’s first Illinois Certified Arson Investigator.

He implemented the City of Rock Island’s Community Risk Reduction plan, including adopting the full fire code and making Rock Island the first downstate municipality to push for residential fire sprinklers. Marty led the local drive to install free smoke alarms in the homes of Rock Island residents.

Rock Island was awarded the Five-Star Fire Safe Community designation during his tenure as Fire Marshal. He was the president of the Quad City Area Fire Marshals’ Association, was the chairman of the MABAS 43 Fire Investigation Team and serves as a director for the Illinois chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators.

Before becoming Fire Marshal, Marty was a paramedic, a member of the MABAS 43 HazMat Team and a member of the MABAS 43 Technical Rescue Team. He was behind the purchase and procurement of the Rock Island Fire Department’s first fire/rescue boat in his role as chairman of the Foreign Fire Tax Committee.

Marty will oversee the Operations Division and the Training Division of the fire department and assist with other administrative roles and responsibilities.

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