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Office of the State Fire Marshal

History

One hundred thirty years ago, in 1894, Governor Frank Brown appointed the first Maryland State Fire Marshal, John J. Jackson. The appointment came after the state legislature passed a law that created the office that year. The legislature created the office at the request of the State’s Insurance Department, which was created in 1878. The objective of the Office of the State Fire Marshal was to “check incendiary fires and to aid in reducing the rate of insurance in the State.”

The State Fire Marshal was an ex officio member of the Insurance Commission until it was abolished by the legislature in 1916. Considered redundant and unnecessary by lawmakers, the State Fire Marshal was downgraded to a position within the Insurance Commission. 

This changed in 1964 when Governor J. Miller Tawes created the State Fire Prevention Commission, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal was moved again. The State Fire Marshal retained its agency for six years until it was moved in 1970 to the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, where it would remain for 27 years until becoming a part of the Department of State Police in 1997.

A collage of images and newspaper articles about the history of the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshall
A collage of images and newspaper articles about the history of the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshall

The Bomb Squad was created in the 1970s by Fire Marshal James C. Robertson. The K9 Unit joined them in 1988 at the behest of Chief Deputy John H. Farrell and approved by then-Fire Marshal Rocco J. Gabriele. At that time, it was one of only two accelerant detection K9 programs in the nation. Maryland would become the first state to implement this program statewide. 

In 2011, the Underwater Hazardous Device Team was created. This specialized team allows the agency to respond to and manage explosive incidents in or around Maryland's waterways and shipping industry. Bomb Technicians assigned to the maritime explosive response team receive advanced training in underwater diving, boating, and tactical operations. Lastly, in 2014, the agency’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems team began. This team was one of the in Maryland and grew significantly with the assistance of the Maryland State Police.

Currently, the OSFM employs over 60 field personnel and administrative staff. Today, the OSFM collaborates with communities throughout Maryland and provides support to local fire and law enforcement partners.