(a) In this section, "fire and explosive investigator" means an individual who: (1) is assigned full-time to the Fire Investigations Division of the Howard County Fire Marshal's Office and is a paid employee; (2) has been employed by the Howard County Fire Department as a firefighter for at least 5 years; (3) has successfully completed a training program from a police training school approved by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission established under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the Public Safety Article; and (4) at all times maintains active certification by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission. (b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a fire and explosive investigator has the same authority granted to the State Fire Marshal or a full-time investigative and inspection assistant in the Office of the State Fire Marshal under § 2-208 of this subtitle: (1) while operating in Howard County; and (2) while operating outside Howard County when: (i) the fire and explosive investigator is participating in a joint investigation with officials from another state, federal, or local law enforcement unit, at least one of which has local jurisdiction; (ii) the fire and explosive investigator is rendering assistance to another law enforcement officer; (iii) the fire and explosive investigator is acting at the request of a law enforcement officer or State law enforcement officer; or (iv) an emergency exists. (c) The Howard County Fire Chief: (1) may limit the authority of a fire and explosive investigator under this section; and (2) shall express the limitation in a written policy.
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