The work of a fire safety inspector is rarely thrilling or glamorous. There are no flashing lights or fancy uniforms, no urgent radio calls, and no crowds gathering to watch. Most days pass quietly, and that suits Fire Safety Inspector Paul Byington.
“I’ve always been quiet—that’s just my personality. I tend to observe more than I speak,” Byington said. “But once people get to know me, I open up and they see more of who I am.”
Those who know him learn that he is a veteran of the United States Navy and the United States Army, with deployments to Honduras, the Bahamas, Japan, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He served in the Naval Construction Battalions, better known as the Seabees. While stationed in Louisiana, he supported recovery efforts by removing debris and assisting with infrastructure repairs in communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
That same sense of service continues in his work in Maryland. Byington has been nominated for the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s 2025 Civilian of the Year Award. He is one of five civilian employees selected statewide. The recipient will be announced June 22 at the Maryland State Firefighters Convention in Ocean City.
He joined the Lower Eastern Regional Office in 2024, serving Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. As a fire safety inspector, Byington conducts inspections for fire and life-safety hazards, verifies compliance with state fire codes, documents violations, and works with property owners to correct deficiencies while improving overall safety. He completed more than 1,000 inspections in 2025.
“Paul hit the ground running,” said Deputy Chief Matthew Stevens, commander of the Lower Eastern Regional Office. “What stands out most is his consistency. The work can be repetitive, but Paul approaches every inspection with the same level of professionalism and attention to detail.”
Outside of work, Byington is a husband and father who has called Maryland home since 2009. Colleagues describe him as reserved and observant, more focused on the work itself than on recognition.
“It means a lot to me that I’ve been nominated for the award,” Byington said. “It reflects the hard work and dedication of the Lower Eastern Regional Office and the State of Maryland.”