Commissioners Honor Morris County Fire Marshal in Retirement
Published on February 27, 2026
Resolution Recognizes 36 Years of Service to Morris County
The Morris County Board of County Commissioners this week presented a framed Resolution of Honor to James “Jim” Davidson in recognition of his retirement as Morris County Fire Marshal and his 36 years of service to the county.
He was recognized during the board’s public meeting at the Administration and Records Building in Morristown on Wednesday, where he was joined by his wife, Bernadette, and fellow Morris County Office of the Fire Marshal staff.
“Under Jim’s leadership, the fire marshal’s office has become a trusted partner across Morris County, known for professionalism, sound judgment and an unwavering commitment to public safety,” said Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw. “We are grateful for his service and wish him the very best in retirement.”
Davidson will retire March 1 after a lifelong career in fire and emergency services that began as a volunteer firefighter in Ho-Ho-Kus. In 1990, he became a career firefighter and inspector with Hanover Township Fire District No. 3 and was promoted to chief in 1997, leading the department for nearly two decades until his retirement in 2015.
“We’re both well over 40 years in public safety and we started the same way – at 16 years old as junior volunteer firefighters. He’s on a short list of the most dependable professionals we have and will be missed,” said Scott DiGiralomo, director of the Morris County Department of Law and Public Safety. “Fortunately, he’s trained many of the firefighters who serve Morris County today. The legacy he leaves is the safety of the firefighters coming up behind him.”
In addition to his leadership in Hanover Township, Davidson served as a part-time instructor at the Morris County Police & Fire Training Academy (now known as the Public Safety Training Academy) beginning in 1994. Over the years, he mentored generations of firefighters, eventually becoming lead instructor and facilitator. He also served as a subject matter expert with the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety in partnership with Kean University.
After retiring from Hanover Township, Davidson joined the Morris County Office of the Fire Marshal in 2015 and was appointed county fire marshal in 2024. In that role, he oversaw significant fire safety improvements across county facilities, including the historic Morris County Courthouse, the Morris County Nonprofit Mall and Robert C. Grant Head Start Center, supporting major upgrades to fire protection systems and enhancements to the county’s fire alarm receiving system.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Davidson assisted with the setup and operation of the testing site at the County College of Morris and the Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center in Rockaway Township, helping ensure both facilities operated safely during the public health emergency.
“As county fire marshal, I’ve seen firsthand the commitment the county commissioners have made to public safety,” said Davidson. “Because of that commitment, our county buildings are among the safest government facilities in New Jersey. I’m leaving the Fire Marshal’s Office in a strong position, and I’m grateful for the support that makes our work possible.”
Davidson plans to split his time in retirement between New Jersey and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The board extended its best wishes for many years of happiness and good health in his next chapter.
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Photo 1: (l-r) Jim Davidson and Stephen Shaw, Morris County Commissioner Director.
Photo 2: (l-r) Commissioners Thomas Mastrangelo, Tayfun Selen and Deborah Smith; Bernadette and Jim Davidson; Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw; Commissioners Christine Myers and Douglas Cabana; and Commissioner Deputy Director John Krickus.