May 13th, 2022 by WCBC Radio
Deputy State Fire Marshal Robert "Rocky" Reed has been selected as the Western Regional Office nominee for Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year. He will join other investigators chosen throughout the state for the 2021 James C. Robertson Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year Award during the Maryland State Fireman's Convention in Ocean City this June.
After retiring from the Cumberland Police Department, Reed was hired by the Office of the State Fire Marshal nearly three years ago and has performed consistently in all aspects of his assignment. In 2021 Deputy Reed was in the top ten employees statewide for the number of total investigations, total inspections, and criminal arrests. DSFM Reed investigated thirty-two fire investigations during 2021, five of which were criminal in nature. He made four arrests in 2021, closing out cases from 2020 and 2021. In addition to his fire investigations, Reed also conducted forty-nine fire safety inspections.
Deputy Reed regularly volunteers for extra duties to support the agency, region, and local law enforcement. DSFM Reed has volunteered and participated in a local community policing program known as Police Providing Presents in Garrett County and Shop with a Cop in Allegany County for the last several years. These programs provided an opportunity to have positive interaction between law enforcement and local youth.
In 2021 DSFM Reed was responsible for the packing, relocating, and transitioning of the Western Region Cumberland satellite office into the new Maryland State Police Cumberland barrack. Additionally, in 2021 DSFM Reed took over the assigned responsibilities for the inventory and maintenance of the newly deployed Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) equipment.
While DSFM Reed brings substantial law enforcement experience from his prior twenty-plus year career with the Cumberland Police Department, he's shown great initiative at identifying and attending fire investigation-specific training. In his short career with the OSFM, DSFM Reed has attended numerous training classes provided through the National Fire Academy, National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI), and other local training. DSFM Reed has also assisted local law enforcement on critical incidents through his training and experience as a hostage negotiator.
During much of the last third of 2020 and the first half of 2021, the WRO experienced a significant staffing shortage due to prolonged medical leave and family medical leave. Reed and the other remaining DSFMs stepped up and ensured that the on-call duty schedule remained fulfilled.
Additionally, Deputy Reed assisted in covering operational vacancies in the region due to the staffing shortages for sworn and civilian staff assigned to the WRO. These extra duties have included a share of additional on-call duty time, completion of daycare, foster-care, and daycare center inspections.
"Deputy Reed has undoubtedly demonstrated himself as a quality fire and explosive investigator," stated Deputy Chief Jason Mowbray, Western Regional Commander. "Through his performance and work ethic, Deputy Reed has had a positive impact on the citizens of Western Maryland and the employees of the Western Regional Office. There is no question that Deputy Reed's efforts have and will continue to result in a safer community." Mowbray said.
