Travis Solomon
A deputy state fire marshal has been hired as fire marshal in Oak Ridge.
The selection of Travis Solomon for the Oak Ridge Fire Department post was announced Monday by Fire Chief Darryl Kerley.
Solomon was an employee of the Tennessee Fire Marshal’s office. For the past 13 years, he has served as the deputy state fire marshal in charge of fire and life safety codes for the buildings and facilities at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, a press release said.
Solomon has a bachelor’s degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University, and he has 17 years of experience in fire, rescue, and emergency medical services, having also served with the New Market Fire Department, the press release said. He is currently a captain with New Market and maintains their FireHouse software for records management and state incident reporting.
Solomon also serves as a HazMat Instructor for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, a Tennessee certified Fire Instructor I, and National Fire Protection Association Fire Inspector I.
“I am delighted to recommend this hire to our city manager (Mark Watson),†Kerley said. “Solomon is a highly talented and energetic young man who will serve the City of Oak Ridge in a professional and enthusiastic manner. He brings a wealth of diverse knowledge and technical experience to the department from his position with the State Fire Marshal’s Office.â€
Solomon and his wife Nicole and daughter Brooke are planning to relocate to Oak Ridge before school starts this fall.
The fire marshal will oversee commercial building inspections, the public fire education program, fire department smoke alarm installation program, and fire investigations. Solomon’s appointment was effective Tuesday, February 16, at a salary of $63,315.20.
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Joseph Lee says
Mr. Solomon, Welcome to Oak Ridge. Thank you for coming.
Philip W Nipper says
John, I have a few questions for you. Do you know if this is a new position at ORFD? If so, who has performed the duties prior to the new hire? If a new position, was it included in this year’s budget? Has there been any termination or reduction of employees to make room for the new hire? Thanks!
Barton Bailey says
From what I can tell just reading the article, he is filling a lot of the roles that were vacated when Josh Waldo left to be the fire chief in Bozeman, Montana. http://oakridgetoday.com/2015/07/14/deputy-fire-chief-waldo-accepts-job-as-fire-chief-in-bozeman-mont/#more-58807
johnhuotari says
Philip,
I apologize for the delayed response. I have called Fire Chief Darryl Kerley regarding your questions. I’ll let you know what I find out.
In the meantime, I’m pretty sure this is a new position; at least, I’ve never heard of it within the ORFD before. And I think Barton is correct that Travis Solomon will fill a lot of the roles that Josh Waldo used to do, including building inspections and fire prevention. I’m not sure about training and daily operations.
I think the department has been re-organized a bit. I don’t think there is a deputy or assistant chief anymore, and I wouldn’t think the number of personnel has been increased for this fire marshal position, since as far as I know, no one has replaced Josh Waldo. But I’ll try to double-check on that. I’m pretty sure there are still three battalion chiefs.
Thank you,
John
Dave Smith says
I recall that there was a Job Opening advertisement on ORT a few months ago, advertising an opening for a new position as OR Fire Marshal.
johnhuotari says
Thank you, Dave.
Philip, I have double-checked the ad we posted in September for a fire marshal, and it said it is a new position, as Dave said above.
I haven’t heard back from the fire chief on your other questions.
Thank you,
John
Emilee says
Welcome to Oak Ridge, Mr. Solomon! It is a great place to live!