Louisiana’s longest-serving state fire marshal is retiring. Butch Browning has accepted the position of executive director of the National Association of State Fire Marshals after serving 14 years as the state’s fire marshal. Browning says he’s proud of implementing higher safety standards for building and construction.
“We strive very hard to find ways to make the code work in some of the hardest situations and I think the people who deal with us on a regular basis know that we are a very responsive agency,” said Browning.
State Fire Marshal Deputy Assistant Secretary Daniel Wallis has been named as Browning’s successor.
“There’s no more passionate firefighter better than him and he’ll do a good job of continuing that common sense approach to the code,” said Browning.
Browning is also credited with starting an Urban Search and Rescue program involving firefighters from around the state that are deployed when a disaster strikes.
“We deployed them twice last year, we’ve been to North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, I mean we are on the first call list of the southern states when they have a problem,” said Browning.
Here is the statement from Governor John Bel Edwards:
“Butch has been a valued member of my cabinet, helping lead our state through some of the strongest hurricanes and severe weather on record. His expertise and knowledge were crucial to helping work with the business community as we navigated ways in which to keep communities safe during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. He and his team spent countless days including weekends working with and educating business owners. I will always be grateful for his service and dedication to our citizens and the men and women of the State Fire Marshal’s Office,” said Gov. Edwards. “Not only has Butch provided tremendous service for our state during times of crisis, but he has extended a helping hand to other states when they have faced emergencies. His impressive work is known across the country, and I am certain that he will continue to be a great leader. I am pleased to welcome Dan Wallis as our new state fire marshal. Dan has the years of experience and proven track record that will benefit our state, and I have every confidence in his ability to lead this department.”
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