Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz has appointed Assistant Chief Marion Spann as the first Black female Fire Marshal in the history of the Houston Fire Department (HFD).
Spann joined the force in 1994. In 2000, she became the first Black woman engineer operator at HFD. She has since advanced through the ranks of the department, holding important positions such as Chief Inspection Officer, where she enforced the Fire Prevention Code and protected Houstonians by conducting thorough inspections and ensuring code compliance.
She brings extensive knowledge to her new position as Fire Marshal, holding an Executive Master of Public Administration from Texas Southern University and having also earned the Master Fire Inspector certification.
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The trailblazer shared her excitement, saying, “This is a proud day for me and my family. I’m thrilled to continue serving this city that I love, and I thank Chief Muñoz for his trust in my abilities,” according to the Houston Style Magazine.
Chief Muñoz also spoke highly of Spann’s qualifications and character, saying, “When Mayor John Whitmire appointed me as Fire Chief, he charged me with ensuring we have the right people in the right places to protect our citizens and support our firefighters. Chief Spann’s depth of experience and proven leadership make her an invaluable asset to this city.”
Mayor John Whitmire celebrated her new position in a statement, remarking, “The appointment of Chief Spann as the City of Houston’s first Black woman fire marshal demonstrates my commitment to diversity and sends a strong message to all Houstonians that we recognize leadership and experience, certainly during my administration.”
In her capacity as Fire Marshal, Spann will oversee the Life Safety and Arson Bureaus. According to Click2Houston, she will be responsible for code enforcement, inspections, preventative initiatives, and fire investigations.
