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Office of the State Fire Marshal

Our Organization

The Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is the oldest State Fire Marshal's Office in the nation and serves as an agency under the Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP). OSFM has a unique organizational structure and is closely aligned with the MDSP organization.

The OSFM operates through specialized units and regional offices to ensure statewide coverage. 

Organization Chart of the Office of the State Fire Marshal
OSFM Org Chart Website April 2026

Office of the State Fire Marshal

includes staff and units that directly support the administrative responsibilities of the State Fire Marshal. This includes the Public Information Officer and the Community Risk Reduction Officer.

Engineering Services Section (ESS)

The ESS provides plan reviews and construction inspections to ensure compliance with the State Fire Prevention Code.

Field Operations Section (FOS)

The OSFM Field Operations Section is responsible for all fire investigations and code enforcement and maintains 5 regional offices across the state: 

  • Northeast Regional Office

  • Lower Eastern Shore Regional Office 

  • Upper Eastern Shore Regional Office

  • Southern Regional Office

  • Western Regional Office

Support Services Section (SSS)

The Support Services Section is responsible for the agency fleet, capital inventory, facilities, equipment procurement, technology, personnel and special projects.

  • Logistics & Technology

  • Special Projects

  • Personnel Services

  • Training

  • Facilities

  • Equipment

Special Operations Section (SOS) 

The OSFM Special Operations Section provides specialized tactical and investigative support for high-risk incidents involving explosives and fire throughout the state. This section is composed of several highly specialized teams:

  • Bomb Squad who manage found explosives, suspicious packages, and regulate the fireworks and explosives industries statewide.
  • Underwater Hazardous Device Team responds to and manages explosive incidents in or around Maryland's waterways and shipping industry.
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems uses drones to provide aerial support for scene documentation, fire investigations, and tactical oversight.
  • K9 Unit maintains multiple ATF-certified teams, including Explosive Detection Canines and Accelerant Detection Canines to assist in determining fire origins and locating evidence.

Questions?