John Robison, who has spent his adult life in fire prevention and fire safety, is retiring as State Fire Marshal at the end of the year.
Robison has been the State Fire Marshal for 15 years and has spent more than 31 years in the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s office. Prior to that, he was fire chief in Jacksonville.
“I decided it was time to do some things I’ve always wanted to do,” Robison said.
Robison, who has served under five Governors during his term as State Fire Marshal, pointed to the increased resources devoted to fire safety as the highlight of his tenure.
“We had a staff of six, and now we have 24 deputy fire marshals throughout the state,” he said. “I’ve had the honor of working with a staff people who work hard and serve in a professional manner every single day.”
Alabama Insurance Commissioner Walter A. Bell saluted Robison for his dedication.
“I don’t think anyone could ever question John Robison’s devotion to duty and his character,” said Insurance Commissioner Walter A. Bell. “He has been an asset to this Department, to the Fire Marshal’s Office and to the state of Alabama. He will be sorely missed, but he deserves the opportunity to spend more time with his family and on some projects he’s always wanted to tackle.”
Robison, a native of Calhoun County, is a past president of the International Fire Marshals Association. In 2002, he served as a project manager and as the co-director of fire prevention at Park City, Utah, for the Winter Olympics.
He has been honored by several organizations, including the Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments and the Alabama Association of Arson Investigators.
Robison also played a key role in the passage of legislation to regulate pyrotechnic displays, which the Alabama Legislature adopted in the wake of the nightclub tragedy in Rhode Island.
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