New Fire Marshal Appointed In OC

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City Fire Department Deputy Chief David Hartley has been appointed the town’s new fire marshal.

At Monday’s Mayor and City Council meeting, the council was presented with a recommendation from the Fire Prevention Commission by unanimous consent presenting David Hartley to be considered as the town’s new fire marshal, due to the retirement of former Fire Marshal Sam Villani.

“Chief Hartley has displayed the knowledge,e professionalism and character that in our opinion would make him the perfect replacement for Sam Villani,” Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department Chief David Cropper wrote in a recommendation.

“Chief Hartley is not only responsible for the Fire Marshal’s office, Chief Hartley is also in charge of the town’s bomb squad, the town’s hazardous materials team, and he is a deputy chief … he manages over 327 people and truly is a fighter to have,” Laramore said on Monday evening.

As well as being becoming fire marshal, being promoted to deputy fire chief, Hartley will also become the bomb squad commander.

Hartley was hired by the town in 1991 as a fire safety inspector.  He is a graduate of the University of Maryland University College with a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science and a graduate of Salisbury University with a master’s degree in Business Administration. 

“The appointment and promotion of David Hartley to the position of Deputy Chief of the Ocean City Fire Department, as well as the Town of Ocean City Fire Marshall is a momentous occasion that will undoubtedly result in the continued positive growth and advancement of the department,” Laramore said. “On behalf of the Ocean City Fire Department, we are extremely proud of Chief Hartley, and recognize how fortunate we and the citizenry are, to have a person who personifies exceptional integrity, ethics and managerial skills.”

Since Hartley’s career has begun with the town he has rose through the ranks. He was promoted to second in command of the Fire Marshal’s Office in 2001. He has been a member of the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company since 1988, serving as a lieutenant, treasurer and president. 

“We are not going to miss a step,” Mayor Rick Meehan said on Monday. “Sam [Villani] held that position for so many years and really helped us to become what we are today with the assistance of David Hartley, and now we are looking to David Hartley to lead us forward and I know he is exactly the right man to do that.”