SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL:

The Alabama Department of Insurance honored retiring State Fire Marshal Ed Paulk an event at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery. State Fire Marshal Paulk is retiring after almost forty (40) years of public service including thirty-two (32) years of service with the State Fire Marshal’s office Paulk has served as State Fire Marshal in Alabama for ten (10) years. Before his appointment as State Fire Marshal, he served seven (7) years as Assistant State Fire Marshal and fifteen (15) years as Deputy State Fire Marshal.

Alabama Insurance Commissioner Jim Ridling said, “There is simply no way to properly express to Ed Paulk my deep appreciation for his many years of outstanding service to the people of Alabama. Ed possess a rare combination of vision, fairness, and a deep understanding of the law and regulations of his office — crucial qualities for an effective manager.”

Under Marshal Paulk’s leadership, the State Fire Marshal’s office conducted more than 8,200 fire and explosion investigations across the State of Alabama resulting in more than 2,000 arrests for crimes ranging from arson and capital murder to drug related offenses and fire code violations. The State Fire Marshal’s office also significantly increased public education efforts culminating in the most recent “Turn Your Attention to Fire Prevention” campaign. Marshal Paulk is a respected across the nation as a professional in his field. Since 2014, he has served as the Vice President of the National Association of State Fire Marshals. In February 2000, Paulk was named the National Law Enforcement Officer of the Month by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office conducts inspections of buildings and properties to ensure the building are safe for occupancy for their intended use, and provides for adequate exits in the event of fire, disaster or other emergencies. The office also significantly increased the rate of fire inspections under Marshal Paulk’s tenure, as much as eight (8) percent in the last year alone. Under Marshal Paulk’s tenure, the Insurance Department also launched the Insurance Fraud Unit which investigates reports of insurance fraud brought to it by the public and the insurance industry.