Houston Fire Department appoints new executive chief and fire marshal

The Houston Fire Department has appointed Marion Spann as executive chief of organizational support and Byron Robinson as Houston fire marshal, HFD announced September 10, 2026.

The appointments place new leadership over HFD functions connected to organizational support, fire prevention, inspections and life-safety work. The announcement described personnel changes; it did not announce new fire-code requirements, inspection deadlines or emergency-response procedures.

Spann takes organizational-support role

Spann is the first Black woman to serve as an executive chief in HFD history, according to the department. HFD said she has 32 years with the department and has served as an engineer operator, inspector, senior inspector and chief inspector.

She previously served as fire marshal before moving into the executive chief position. HFD said Spann was the first Black woman to hold each of those earlier ranks.

Robinson becomes fire marshal

Robinson brings 30 years of HFD experience to the Fire Marshal’s Office, the department said. His background includes 21 years in the Inspection Division within HFD’s Life Safety Bureau.

Before his promotion to assistant chief, Robinson spent more than nine years as chief inspector over high-rise properties. HFD said he oversaw fire and life-safety inspections in some of Houston’s most complex structures.

The department also said Robinson contributed to the City of Houston’s Construction Code Modernization Project, including work on updates to fire and life-safety codes.

Appointments follow West’s retirement

Spann succeeds Executive Assistant Chief Rodney West, who retired after 36 years of service. Robinson succeeds Spann as fire marshal.

Both leaders were recognized before Houston City Council on September 9, 2026, one day before HFD issued its appointment announcement. Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz announced the appointments.

What Houston residents should watch

The new assignments affect HFD leadership responsible for organizational support and the Fire Marshal’s Office, including work related to fire prevention, inspections and life safety. Residents, businesses and property owners should not assume that the personnel changes alone alter current requirements or service schedules.

HFD did not announce immediate changes to inspection timelines, fire-code requirements, emergency response or other resident-facing procedures. Future department notices will provide the record for any formal operational changes or new priorities.

Sources

• Houston Fire Department appointment announcement
• Houston Fire Department newsroom