In Sacramento, as in many other jurisdictions, there are distinct roles and responsibilities for fire watch guards and fire marshals: 1. Fire Watch Guard: – A fire watch guard is a trained professional responsible for monitoring specific areas or properties for fire hazards, especially when primary fire protection systems are temporarily out of service or during high-risk activities like hot work. – Fire watch guards conduct regular patrols, identify potential fire hazards, maintain fire watch logs, and initiate emergency procedures in case of a fire or other emergencies. – They are typically employed by private companies or contracted by property owners to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations and mitigate fire risks. 2. Fire Marshal: – A fire marshal is a public official employed by the local fire department or fire prevention bureau, responsible for enforcing fire codes, investigating fire incidents, and promoting fire safety within the community. – Fire marshals conduct inspections of buildings and properties to ensure compliance with fire codes and regulations, issue permits for activities like fireworks displays or pyrotechnic events, and investigate the causes of fires to determine if any violations occurred. – They may also provide fire safety education and training to the public, collaborate with other agencies on emergency response planning, and enforce regulations related to hazardous materials and fire prevention. While both fire watch guards and fire marshals play critical roles in fire safety and prevention, their responsibilities differ. Fire watch guards focus on monitoring specific areas for fire hazards and ensuring immediate response in emergencies, while fire marshals are responsible for enforcing fire codes, conducting inspections, and promoting overall fire safety within the community.