The 25th anniversary of the UConn Fire Marshal authority and the 20th of the Fire Marshal Building Permit and Code Enforcement Authority, (FMBIO) was recognized with a ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 25. The event drew current and former members of the UConn Fire Marshal’s office and representatives from both the police and fire departments.
UConn’s Fire Marshal, Building Inspector & Security Technology was established in 2005 within the Division of University Safety. The office is responsible for code compliance on all University-owned property, statewide, for buildings and construction projects which are not under the jurisdiction of other Connecticut agencies.
The office also provides public fire safety education and planning assistance. Through the Life Safety Systems program, coordination and maintenance of critical life safety systems in University-owned buildings are provided. The Security Technology Systems Group works to provide safe and secure buildings and grounds throughout the University.
Captain Steve Garvin of the UConn Fire Department currently serves as the Fire Marshal and served as the host of the ceremony, along with Pat Walsh, the UConn Building Inspector Manager, which included a moment of silence for former Deputy Fire Marshal Lt. Heidi Vaughn, who passed away in 2019. A special presentation was also made to retired Deputy Fire Chief Mike Makuch, who was a 29-year veteran of the UConn Fire Department and served many years in the FMBIO in various positions.
The event also served as a reunion of three UConn police chiefs – current chief and Associate Vice President for University Safety Gene Labonte; former chief and Associate Vice President of Public Safety Hans Rynhart; and former chief Bob Hudd, who oversaw the creation of the UConn Fire Marshal Office during his tenure.
