Rusk County Fire Marshal | Emergency Management Coordinator

Patrick Dooley

 

The Rusk County Fire Marshal's Office is responsible for fire investigations, fire inspections, and fire code enforcement within the unincorporated areas of Rusk County. Inspections, education, and burn bans target fire prevention. Our office also assists in fire investigations, responds to citizens reports, and works with local ESDs (Emergency Services Districts/Fire Departments).  As County Emergency Management Coordinator, Mr. Dooley is responsible for preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery under the directive of the Rusk County Judge, who by state law serves as the county's Emergency Director in time of disaster.

 

In Texas, Mayors and County Judges have responsibility for emergency preparedness and response within their local jurisdictions. These officials may appoint an Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) to manage day-to-day program activities. Local emergency management and homeland security programs include threat identification and prevention activities, emergency planning, providing or arranging training for local officials and emergency responders, planning and conducting drills and exercises, carrying out public education relating to known hazards, designing and implementing hazard mitigation programs, coordinating emergency response operations during incidents and disasters, and carrying out recovery activities in the aftermath of a disaster.

 

Local emergency management and homeland security organizations may be organized at the city level, at the county level or as an inter-jurisdictional program that includes one or more counties and multiple cities.  Local emergency management organizations may be organized as part of the Mayor or County Judge's staff, as a separate office or agency, as part of the local fire department or law enforcement agency, or in other ways.  Local emergency management and homeland security agencies may be identified as emergency management offices or agencies, homeland security offices or agencies, or some combination of the two.

 

Rusk County Burn Ban Status

Burn Ban Rescinded - September 25, 2023

  On September 25, 2023, the burn ban for Rusk County was lifted.  As of September 25, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index average remains at 600 following recent rains.  A burn ban may be reinstated in October dependent on future conditions.  Extreme caution is urged when burning as unattended fires can still get out of hand quickly.  Damage to neighbors property or injury to others due to irresponsible burning may result in citation or arrest.

 

Contacting the Fire Marshal's Office

 

By phone:  903-657-8571

By e-mail:  patrick.dooley@ruskcountyoem.org