New state fire marshal named

(Appeal Capitol Bureau) - James Wright, a veteran of 34 years in firefighting, has been named Nevada's new fire marshal.

Public Safety Department Director George Togliatti said Wright comes from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, where he was deputy director and chief of fire protection in Sacramento.

He takes over from Acting Chief Chad Hastings, who has filled in since the retirement of Fire Marshal Chief Doyle Sutton in December.

Togliatti said Wright brings "extensive experience in arson investigation, emergency preparedness, training and fire service administration" to the position.

"We are very fortunate to have James Wright join our department," he said.

Wright said his top priority will be providing, developing, and delivering a balanced and effective fire-prevention program using information/education, training and fire-protection engineering and enforcement.

"This is the beginning of a new era for the DPS Fire Marshal Division, and I am excited about the opportunity to be a part of it," he said.

Wright, 53, began his career in 1971 as a fire-protection specialist in the Air Force. He joined the California Department of Forestry in 1977 as a firefighter and became CDF's chief of fire protection.

He will earn $92,290 a year as fire marshal.