R.I. Names Interim Fire Marshal

Rhode Island Gov. Donald L. Carcieri has appointed State Police Superintendent, Col. Steven Pare, as the interim State Fire Marshal. The interim appointment will be effective until the governor appoints a permanent marshal to replace Irving “Jesse” Owens, who retired earlier this month.

Thge governor also asked Col. Pare to designate a member of the State Police to directly oversee day-to-day operations at the State Fire Marshal’s Office during the interim appointment period. Col. Pare has designated Lt. John Blessing to fill that role. Lt. Blessing, a 20-year veteran, will be based at the Fire Marshal’s Office, but will report to Col. Pare.

The governor did not announce a timetable for the appointment of a permanent State Fire Marshal.