Lt. Brian Ferguson, 35, is one of Prince William County’s newest fire marshals. After spending more than eight years as an emergency medical technician for the county’s fire department, Ferguson decided to make a move to what he called the more “proactive” responsibilities of the fire marshals’ office. He then spent six months at a police academy working toward his law enforcement certification, a requirement for fire marshals. Today marks his third day as a fire marshal.

What inspired you to make the switch from being an EMT to a fire marshal?