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Smith County fire marshal seeks staff, training and equipment for inspections, arson investigations and public outreach
Summary
Fire Marshal Chad Houghton asked commissioners to fund a reclassified emergency‑management position, replace aging tasers, expand training, buy public education tools (a fire‑extinguisher simulator) and fund burn‑ban signage. He outlined detailed training and certification requirements for the office.
Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Houghton presented an overview of his office’s duties, training requirements, recent certifications and equipment needs during the FY2026 budget workshop.
Houghton described the office structure and the certifications his staff hold through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. He summarized mandated continuing education: a four‑year training cycle (40 hours of continuing education every two years) and a separate Texas Commission on Fire Protection requirement (roughly 18 hours annually plus additional certifications for inspectors and investigators). Houghton said his office now includes deputies with advanced investigator and instructor credentials and that he aims to continue expanding in‑house investigative capacity.
The fire marshal requested a reclassified position to an emergency‑management coordinator to add inspection and investigative capacity and provided line‑item needs including uniforms, a ballistic vest and training funds. He also asked for operational items to support outreach and safety: a fire‑extinguisher training simulator for public education, hingeable burn‑ban road signs and bilingual yard signs to publicize burn bans, and consideration of a local accelerant‑detection K‑9 (with recurring food and veterinary costs if approved). Houghton said a K‑9 would be an asset to the county and neighboring jurisdictions but that the program entails ongoing care, training time and possible overtime or stipend issues for the handler.
Houghton also asked for taser replacement for current models that he said are aging and experiencing problems; he estimated a need for five (or six if an additional position is approved) and said the county’s LEOSE account (training fund) may partially offset ammunition and training costs. He told commissioners he would use federal and state grant and training options where available and that some grants are targeted to nonprofit organizations but not directly to county agencies.
Commissioners asked for additional detail on particular line items and trending figures; Houghton said many training modules are available online and that the Emergency Management Institute and National Fire Academy both offer in‑person and virtual courses. He closed by saying the requested investments would increase the fire marshal’s ability to conduct proactive inspections, manage high‑risk target hazards and improve community outreach and safety.
