Acting State Fire Marshal George Howe was tabbed Tuesday to fill the spot on a permanent basis. Howe has been the Acting Fire Marshal since the retirement of Roy Marshall June 30th. Howe has been the Assistant Fire Marshal since 1997 and says that makes the transition easy.Howe says his job is to reduce fire deaths in Iowa, increase arson arrests and promote safety in Iowa’s buildings.Howe says a new Assistant Fire Marshal will be hired to fill his old position.