Company Profile

Company Overview

The State Fire Marshal heads the sole agency within state government responsible for overall coordination of fire service policy and operations.

Within DFS is the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, providing fire training to municipal fire service personnel at no cost to the cities and towns. The Massachusetts Fire Training Council is a 13 member body appointed by the Governor which is the policy making body for the Academy. The Council is also the sole certifying agency for the certification of all levels of fire service personnel in the Commonwealth.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal preserves life and protects property through public education, investigation, regulation, law enforcement, and technical assistance to fire departments, the public, and regulated trades and industries. Its governing body is the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission which is the policy making board for the division and appointing authority for the State Fire Marshal. The Board of Fire Prevention Regulations promulgates fire prevention regulations enforced by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and municipal fire departments.

Hazardous Materials Response oversees the operation of the six Hazardous Materials Regional Response Teams throughout the state and has as its governing body the Hazardous Materials Mitigation Emergency Response Advisory Board.

The Executive Office contains the personal offices of the State Fire Marshal and Deputy State Fire Marshal and their administrative staff. Office of the General Counsel is available to provide ready access to legal counsel by all divisions. The Public Information Office responds to media inquires and coordinates publicity for agency programs and activities.

The Administrative Services Units support other divisions through:

Fiscal Affairs, which manages budgetary and procurement issues for all divisions within the Department of Fire Services;

Personnel, which is responsible for hiring, termination, position classification, attendance, benefits and appeals;

Facilities, which provides a healthy work environment, maintains the facilities, vehicles and other equipment; and is responsible for construction on site;

Technology, which manages the technological infrastructure of telephone system, computer network, agency databases and web page.