A recently-retired deputy fire chief in Grand Rapids will now oversee fire safety initiatives and regulations statewide as Michigan's fire marshal.
Kevin Sehlmeyer, a Rockford resident, was appointed as state fire marshal, Gov. Rick Snyder announced on Friday, April 21.
"Kevin brings years of experience to this role and I am confident his knowledge in this field will give him an advantage as he works to better protect Michiganders," Snyder wrote in a press release.
A 30-year veteran of the Grand Rapids Fire Department, Sehlmeyer serves as a firefighter, captain, battalion chief, chief of training and deputy fire chief before retiring in January 2016. He was honored for "professional, dedication and passion for teaching" by then-Deputy Chief Gary Szotko when when named the department's "firefighter of the year" in 2007.