Summary
Riverhead's fire marshals are sworn peace officers but currently unarmed, even when investigating arson scenes that can turn into felony crime scenes. The board is weighing policies for firearms carry, training, psychological testing, and insurance — with a resolution possible at a future meeting.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 1
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed May 21, 2026.
Impact analysis
The town is budgeting for four Glock 19 firearms and waiting on insurance quotes to cover the four fire marshals.
Fire marshals get protection on dangerous fire and arson scenes, and the public gets faster response when crimes are discovered at fire scenes.
Some board members worry future hires could carry weapons without psychological evaluation, raising long-term liability and safety concerns.
Mentions & discussions (1)
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