(a) In this section, “Anne Arundel County or City of Annapolis fire and explosive investigator” means an individual who:
(1) is assigned full time to the Fire and Explosive Investigations Section of the Anne Arundel County or City of Annapolis Fire Marshal’s Office and is a paid employee;
(2) has been employed by the Anne Arundel County or City of Annapolis 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, an Anne Arundel County or City of Annapolis fire and explosive investigator has the same authority granted to the State Fire Marshal or a full–time investigative and inspection assistant of the Office of the State Fire Marshal under § 2–208 of this subtitle:
(1) while operating in Anne Arundel County or the City of Annapolis; and
(2) while operating outside Anne Arundel County or the City of Annapolis when:
(i) the Anne Arundel County or City of Annapolis 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 Anne Arundel County or City of Annapolis fire and explosive investigator is rendering assistance to another law enforcement officer;
(iii) the Anne Arundel County or City of Annapolis 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 Anne Arundel County or City of Annapolis Fire Chief:
(1) may limit the authority of an Anne Arundel County or City of Annapolis fire and explosive investigator under this section; and
(2) shall express the limitation in a written policy.