PIERRE, S.D. – Paul Merriman of Pierre has been appointed State Fire Marshal in the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
Public Safety Secretary Trevor Jones announced the appointment on Friday. Merriman, currently chief deputy Fire Marshal, fills the position vacated when former Fire Marshal Al Christie retired in November.
“Paul has more than 20 years with the Department of Public Safety and has extensive knowledge of fire codes, fire training, inspection procedures and administrative matters,’’ Jones said. “He has the respect of fire services across the state. I know he will work closely with those services to make sure South Dakota’s firefighters have the best training available and South Dakota’s citizens have the best fire protection and safety possible.’’
Merriman, 46, is a Pierre native and a graduate of Riggs High School and South Dakota State University. He started his career in state government in 1991. In 1999, he moved to the Fire Marshal’s Office as fire code specialist and he became chief deputy in July of 2009.
Merriman’s appointment is effective Dec. 23.
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