Long-time volunteer appointed to township position
Michael A. Barnshaw was sworn-in as the Whitpain Fire Marshal during the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors Meeting last week. Magisterial District Judge Suzan Leonard administered Barnshaw’s Oath of Office as one of the board’s first action items of the evening.
Barnshaw will replace the out-going David M. Camarda who previously filled the position. In his role as the township’s fire marshal, Barnshaw is expected to “enforce all of the provisions of the adopted Fire Prevention Code” for the community. He also is responsible for receiving any applications, corresponding fees, and the issuance of permits in order to help the township’s residents to be in compliance with the Fire Prevention Code.
According to the township’s website, Barnshaw may also face Appeals to his decisions as part of his role.
“Whenever the Fire Marshal rejects an application or refuses to issue a permit, or if an applicant believes that the provisions of the Fire Prevention Code do not apply or that the true intent or meaning of the Code has been misconstrued, wrongly applied or interpreted, then the applicant may appeal the decision of the Fire Marshal to the Board of Appeals for hearing and action,” said the site.
In addition to his swearing-in, Barnshaw had to be recommended to Gov. Josh Shapiro, by the supervisors. He was officially submitted to be appointed as the Whitpain Township Emergency Management Coordinator, via board vote, which will also be a portion of his responsibilities in his new role.
Prior to becoming the township’s fire marshal, Barnshaw served as the Whitpain Township Deputy Fire Marshal from November 2023. From 2016 to 2022, he served the Keystone Valley Fire Department in Coatesville, Pa. In previous position, he has also served as a Lead CPR instructor and as an Aircraft Rescue Firefighter and EMT. Barnshaw also volunteered with the Centre Square Fire Company from 2009 to 2020.
The Whitpain Fire Marshal will also maintain a webpage on the township’s site as a part of his duties, which offers area residents tips and safety information to prevent the risk of fire. From fire pits in the yard, to kitchen safeguards while cooking, the fire marshal provides helpful details online.
Barnshaw is a graduate of West Chester University, and has a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, with a fire rescue concentration from Waldorf University.
