This week is Ponca City Fire Department Fire Marshals last week

David VanBuskirk has created some big shoes to fill at the Ponca City Fire Department, and will hand them over Friday. VanBuskirk has been with the Ponca City Fire Department for 25 years, and is now moving up in the fire investigation world. He said starting next Monday he will be an agent for the state Fire Marshal’s Office

" I’ll be assigned five counties, covering Kay, Osage, Payne, Noble and Pawnee,” VanBuskirk said. “We do fire investigations and criminal investigations. We also do code enforcement, which will require me to inspect all jails and inspect all state owned facilities. Then also any type of new building construction that is in my area that does not have a fire marshal."

Since he is covering this area, he will still call Ponca City home. But may be traveling all over the state for multi-agent fire investigations.

VanBuskirk said this position will open the doors for him to work with federal agencies such as, the FBI and U.S. Marshals.

“ I think it’s a way to broaden my skills and expand,” VanBuskirk said. “I consider it kind of a promotion, just something on the new horizon that’s new and exciting. I am probably going to get to do a lot more fire investigations, which I am really excited about.”

It has not been released who will fill VanBuskirk’s shoes at the Ponca City Fire Department.