Birmingham Welcomes New Fire Marshal

There's a new face at Birmingham's Adams Street Fire Station and he's here to help residents with their fire prevention questions.

Lyal Bigger is now installed as Birmingham's new part-time assistant fire chief and fire marshal. Bigger recently retired from the Bloomfield Township Fire Department, after spending 28 years with the department as an assistant fire chief and fire marshal.

In Birmingham, the position of fire marshal has been vacant for a year and a half, after 33-year Birmingham veteran and the city's last full-time fire marshal, .

Fire Chief Mike Metz said the city decided in 2010 not to hire another full-time fire marshal as part of ongoing budget cuts. Monti's administrative duties were then distributed to Metz and Assistant Fire Chief John Connaughton.

Fire marshals are responsible for inspecting fire scenes to determine the cause of the blaze. Fire marshals also inspects new construction and plans for special events, and regulates occupancy rates throughout the city.

As fire marshal, Metz said Bigger is also available to answer residents' questions on fire prevention and inspections. To contact Bigger, call 248-530-1902 or email lbigger@bhamgov.org.