Fire Inspector From HdG Retires After 27 Years

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — A Havre de Grace man retired this week from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, where he served as a fire inspector since 1995.

Bill Jiles, 76, will continue serving his hometown on the Susquehanna Hose Company's board of directors, according to a statement from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci presented Jiles on Monday with a citation from the governor and commendation from the state fire marshal, thanking him for his years of service.

In his role as a fire inspector, Jiles has inspected commercial buildings and structures to identify potential fire hazards as well as ensuring areas are free from combustible material, there are no electrical wiring problems, and adequate safety exits are in place.

"As an inspector, when I walk out of a new building and give my OK, people should be able to walk through those doors and feel safe," Jiles said.

Jiles started his career in emergency services at Fawn Grove Volunteer Fire Company in the 1960s, then became a career firefighter at Perry Point Fire Department. Later, he worked for the former Edgewood Arsenal fire department and after retiring the first time, was asked by Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci to work in the fire marshal's office.

"Bill has always brought a laugh and smile to this job, and he can be proud of the hundreds if not thousands of people he has saved by his inspections," Geraci said in a statement. "The role of a fire inspector goes mostly unnoticed by the public. But more lives are often saved through prevention than rescue."

Jiles was the face of the Office of the State Fire Marshal in Harford County as the one and only primary fire safety inspector for Harford County for nearly his entire career, officials said.

"Bill has done the job of what some local or county fire marshal's offices have five to seven guys doing. Just the workload he could handle has been incredible," Geraci said in a statement. "I know he takes great pride in Harford County, and I want to thank him for his years of service to our community."