(a) The fire marshal may appoint as many nonsalaried assistant deputy state fire marshals as he or she may deem necessary to carry out the purposes of chapters 28.1 — 28.39 of this title; the assistant deputy fire marshals shall serve at the pleasure of the state fire marshal. Provided, further, that no person shall be appointed as an assistant deputy state fire marshal unless such person, at the time of the appointment, is a current employee of the state fire marshal’s office, and/or is an active member of a fire district, and/or is an active or retired member of a fire department, and/or is an active or retired member of a police department currently serving or having served within this state.
(b) The chief of the fire department of the several cities, towns, and fire districts may be an assistant deputy fire marshal subject to the approval of the state fire marshal, and may continue to serve as an assistant deputy fire marshal as long as he or she is fire chief.
(c) Standardized fire code interpretation through certification of assistant deputy state fire marshals. No individual may serve as an assistant deputy fire marshal without first satisfying minimum qualifications as determined through regulation by the state fire marshal. Such qualifications shall include meeting the NFPA standard for professional qualifications for fire inspector, or such other comparable national standard as determined by the state fire marshal.