(a)    In this section, “fire and explosive investigator” means an individual who:

(1)    is assigned full–time to the Fire Investigations Division of the Howard County Fire Marshal’s Office and is a paid employee;

(2)    has been employed by the Howard County Fire Department as a firefighter for at least 5 years;

(3)    has successfully completed a training program from a police training school approved by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission established under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the Public Safety Article; and

(4)    at all times maintains active certification by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission.

(b)    Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a fire and explosive investigator has the same authority granted to the State Fire Marshal or a full–time investigative and inspection assistant in the Office of the State Fire Marshal under § 2–208 of this subtitle:

(1)    while operating in Howard County; and

(2)    while operating outside Howard County when:

(i)    the fire and explosive investigator is participating in a joint investigation with officials from another state, federal, or local law enforcement unit, at least one of which has local jurisdiction;

(ii)    the fire and explosive investigator is rendering assistance to another law enforcement officer;

(iii)    the fire and explosive investigator is acting at the request of a law enforcement officer or State law enforcement officer; or

(iv)    an emergency exists.

(c)    The Howard County Fire Chief:

(1)    may limit the authority of a fire and explosive investigator under this section; and

(2)    shall express the limitation in a written policy.