Snow Hill, Maryland (January 24, 2021) – The Worcester County Commissioners appointed Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Matt Owens to serve as the new fire marshal. He will step into his role March 7, 2022.
“It has been a pleasure working with Matt for almost 26 years,” said Fire Marshal Jeff McMahon, who will retire in March following 35 years of service. “He is well respected in the community and, especially, among the county’s public safety agencies.”
Owens, a highly-trained, certified law enforcement officer, joined Worcester County Government (WCG) in 1996, when the Fire Marshal’s Office consisted of a team of two housed in the basement of the Worcester County Court House. He also serves as a part-time certified instructor at the Police Academy at Wor-Wic Community College, where he plays a role in training each new generation of law enforcement and correctional officers. Prior to joining the WCG team, Owens worked as a fire investigator/inspector in the former Wicomico County Fire Marshal’s Office.
“When people call 911, it’s the worst day of their life,” Owens said. “We have a good team. We’re here to do a job and to do it professionally. The satisfaction you get out of this doesn’t come from someone patting you on the back saying you did a good job. It comes from helping others on their worst day.”
Owens followed his father and brother into the fire service. He became a cadet with the Parsonsburg Volunteer Fire Company at age 13.
“I knew at that point the love for the fire service was in my blood,” Owens said. “If it wasn’t for my family pushing me to be the best person I can be, I would have never been able to do this job.”
Owens and his wife, Kim, have two children, Tyler and Trevor. Owens enjoys spending time at Assateague and hunting.
The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office includes a team of six, responsible for conducting fire investigations in Worcester County where arson is suspected, the fire is undetermined by the fire department, and/or an injury or death has occurred. The Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office is the local enforcing agency for three municipalities and the County, including all provisions of the Maryland and Worcester County laws insofar as such powers and duties relate to fires, fire prevention, fire protection, fire inspections, fire investigations and explosive incidents. Staff are active in the area of fire prevention and fire education. They also respond to and mitigate all hazardous material and bio terrorism incidents in Worcester County.