Milton Names New Fire Marshal

MILTON, GA — Alex Fortner has been promoted to the position of Fire Marshal, after serving as the Assistant Fire Marshal and a Captain with Milton Fire-Rescue since 2014 and with the department since 2008.

During that time, he has earned his Masters in Public Administration as well as national certifications as a fire inspector, investigator, and educator. He is also a POST-certified police officer and a Georgia Certified Emergency Manager.

Fortner takes over this role from Deputy Chief Matt Marietta, who served as the Fire Marshal since 2010. This change will allow Deputy Chief Marietta to focus more on strategic administration and community preparedness so Milton is well-situated to meet the public safety challenges of the future.

The Fire Marshal’s office is responsible for fire safety education, inspections, plan review, and fire investigations. Fortner is certified as a Peace Officer, Fire Investigator, Fire Inspector, Fire Safety Educator, Fire/Life Safety Plans Reviewer, and Emergency Manager.

In addition to a new Fire Marshal, Milton also appointed three certified part-time fire inspectors who will help fire prevention keep up with the growing business community and continue to increase our responsiveness to the needs of the City. These three, Captain Kennedy, Captain Sprouse, and FAO Champion, already serve as highly qualified shift firefighters for Milton, and will work one day a week on their off days conducting annual business inspections and supporting the active public outreach program when called upon.

New fire trucks ordered

The Milton Fire-Rescue Apparatus Committee has completed the pre-construction process for two new fire engines. The pre-construction review process involves meetings with the dealer/manufacturer representative and the engineering team at the manufacturing location. The process itself is a detailed review of specifications detailing every component of the new trucks to ensure the City receives a top quality product and to avoid costly change orders. Production on the new engines is scheduled to begin in August with a projected completion in December. The new fire engines will replace the department's original 2007 model year units.

New fire fighters hired

The Fire-Rescue Department recently completed an extensive hiring process to fill three existing vacant firefighter positions. Three candidates have received job offers and are scheduled to begin a department orientation process the week of June 17. The department is excited to welcome our newest firefighters and plans to introduce them to the community at the June 17 City Council meeting.