SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL:

Alabama Insurance Commissioner Jim Ridling today named Scott Pilgreen as State Fire Marshal. A 32 year law enforcement veteran, Pilgreen has served 27 years in the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the last 10 as Assistant State Fire Marshal. Pilgreen follows retiring State Fire Marshal Ed Paulk who served in that position since 2006.

Commissioner Ridling said, “I am pleased to name Scott Pilgreen as Alabama’s new State Fire Marshal. Scott is an outstanding law enforcement professional and he will do an excellent job for the people of Alabama.” Ridling continued, “Scott’s background and training fits perfectly for this position. He has served side-by-side with outgoing State Fire Marshal Ed Paulk for the last ten years. He is well respected by law enforcement across the state and around the nation.”

Assistant State Fire Marshal Pilgreen began his career in 1979 with the Montgomery Police Department (MPD). While at MPD, he served in the patrol, investigative and training divisions. After leaving MPD in 1989, Pilgreen joined the State Fire Marshal’s Office as a Deputy State Fire Marshal. He was promoted to Assistant State Fire Marshal in 2006. Pilgreen is a 2002 graduate of the FBI National Academy, a 2009 graduate of the Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program and a 2015 graduate of Columbia Southern University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. In March 2016, Governor Bentley appointed Pilgreen to the Alabama Energy and Residential Code Council.

Ridling said, “I look forward to working with Scott in this new role and I know that all Alabama citizens will have reason to feel safe with Scott Pilgreen as the State Fire Marshal”. Pilgreen will officially take office as the State Fire Marshal on Monday, August 1, 2016.

Established in 1909, the State Fire Marshal’s Office is a division of the Alabama Department of Insurance. It’s mission is to provide inspection services, conduct investigations of fires and explosions, insurance fraud, prevent the commission of arson and related crimes, protect lives and property from fire and explosions, and provide visitors and citizens of the state a safe environment in which to live, work and play.