State Fire Marshal

The Marshal is the Commonwealth’s chief fire official and head of the Department of Fire Services (DFS), reporting directly to the Secretary of Public Safety & Security. The Marshal leads statewide fire prevention, training, investigation, code enforcement, hazardous materials response, and related public safety programs. The position combines broad statutory authority with executive responsibility for agency strategy, operations, personnel, and resources. The Marshal advises the Governor, Secretary and Legislature on fire and life safety, emerging threats and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) hazards; recommends changes to laws and regulations; and exercises licensing and enforcement powers assigned by statute. The Marshal also serves on more than a dozen statutory boards and commissions that shape fire safety, building standards, emergency response and related policy. The Marshal exercises extensive statutory authority in the areas of inspection and investigations, and acts as the licensing authority for blasting, cannons/mortars, special effects, fireworks, on-demand mobile refueling, fire suppression, commercial hood cleaning, and boiler technicians. The Marshal serves as the Commonwealth’s principal advocate and public representative for the fire service. The Marshal provides guidance, direction, and support around fire and life safety education to local fire departments and to the public directly, through various media, and through grant-funded programs. The Marshal also works in close cooperation with the Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner of Public Health on the development of strategic policy regarding emergency response and health and safety issues for the fire service and public at large. The Marshal regularly makes emergency responses to large-scale, long-term, and/or multiple-fatality fires, explosions, Hazmat, and CBRNE emergencies to provide state support and coordinate statewide assistance to local fire chiefs and public safety officials. The Marshal assists in identifying the public safety dangers related to these events and recommending an appropriate response on behalf of the Commonwealth. The Marshal serves as the Department of Fire Services’ primary public voice during major fire and public safety incidents, communicating timely and accurate information to the media and public and reinforcing public confidence in the Commonwealth’s response. Exposure to unknown hazards, dangerous physical conditions, and mental stressors is a possibility at each of these incidents. These responsibilities require the Marshal to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the year. As agency head, the Marshal has a statutory responsibility to oversee the Department of Fire Services and its divisions: the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, the Fire Safety Division, the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Division, and Administrative Services. The Massachusetts State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Section is assigned to the Marshal’s office to support the investigation of fires and explosions and the assessment and mitigation of explosive devices anywhere in the Commonwealth. The Marshal provides executive oversight of the Department's operations at its headquarters in Stow and its campuses in Springfield and Bridgewater.This includes strategic direction for facilities modernization, long-term capital planning, and major infrastructure initiatives, inlcuding the multi-year Bridgewater campus expansion. The Marshal advances the statewide Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response (ASHER) program in partnership with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Municipal Police Training Committee, and other state and local agencies. This includes integrated training and exercises consistent with NFPA 3000, collaboration among fire, law enforcement, emergency medical services, emergency management, and public safety communications personnel, and promoting unified command, coordinated response, and recovery planning to enhance community preparedness and protect responders and the public. Statutory board and commission memberships expressly assigned to The Marshal are the following:

• Board of Fire Prevention Regulations (G.L. c. 22D, § 4)
• Board of Fire Prevention Regulations Appeals Board (G.L. c. 22D, § 5)
• Fire Safety Commission (G.L. c. 6, § 200)
• Automatic Sprinkler Appeals Board (G.L. c. 6, § 201)
• Hazardous Materials Mitigation Emergency Response Advisory Board (G.L. c. 21K, § 2)
• Massachusetts Technical Rescue Coordinating Council (G.L. c. 22D, § 6(b))
• State Board of Building Regulations and Standards (G.L. c. 143, § 93)
• Board of State Examiners of Electricians (G.L. c. 13, § 32)
• Underground Storage Tank Petroleum Cleanup Fund Administrative Review Board (G.L. c. 21J, § 8)
• State 911 Commission (G.L. c. 6A, § 18B(b))
• School Building Advisory Board (G.L. c. 70B, § 3A)
• Permanent Commission on Recruitment, Hiring and Retention of Municipal Police Officers and Firefighters (G.L. c. 31, § 78(a))
• State Interoperability Executive Committee (Executive Order 493).

Primary Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. The Marshal serves as agency head and appointing authority for the Department of Fire Services by providing executive leadership and direction to advance the Administration’s fire service priorities and objectives, ensure operational effectiveness, and fulfill the DFS mission. Effectively manages a complex state agency responsible for critical public safety functions, including management of an annual operating budget exceeding $64 million, a substantial workforce, and diverse statewide operations. Establishes DFS priorities, institutes performance measures, resolves significant or complex matters, and promotes effective coordination across legal, enforcement, regulatory, operational and administrative functions.
2. Advises the Governor and Secretary of Public Safety & Security on emerging issues, policy considerations and all matters relating to fire safety and prevention, chemical and hazardous material incidents, and serves as a member of the Emergency Services management team to provide direction for critical delivery of the state’s antiterrorism response.
3. Serves as Administration’s liaison to the fire service community and its major organizations on all issues affecting fire safety and homeland security. Fosters constructive relationships with federal, state, and municipal partners. Ensures transparency and responsiveness in public communications, including citizens, community organizations, elected officials, the media and other key stakeholders. Serves as the principal DFS spokesperson through media interviews, public appearances, public service announcements, public testimony at legislative hearings, and other public communications during natural disasters or public safety emergencies.
4. Directs DFS support to local incident commanders during emergency response to major fire, explosion, explosive device, and hazardous materials incidents, to assess statewide risks and coordinates specialized assistance for local fire safety officials who are in charge at the scene.
5. Ensures the successful execution of joint initiatives with the State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit through coordinated oversight of fire and arson investigation, incident reporting, and personnel.
6. Ensures the successful implementation of state/municipal partnership regarding local response to hazardous materials incidents throughout the Commonwealth. Reviews and approves training and equipment for designated districts and Hazardous Materials Response Teams. Oversees the income and approves expenditures of the statewide Hazardous Materials Mitigation Trust Fund.
7. Directs the General Counsel and appropriate staff in the development, review, and advancement of legislation and regulatory initiatives relating to fire services, fire prevention, and other public safety matters assigned to the Department of Fire Services by the Secretary of EOPSS.
8. Provides executive oversight and strategic direction for a comprehensive system of statewide fire training and education for cities, towns and fire districts, and appropriate public and private sector organizations. Establishes statewide priorities for the development of fire training programs. Evaluates the effectiveness of the fire training programs and ensures the programs remain responsive to emerging and evolving statewide public safety needs and policy priorities. Ensures the alignment of organizational priorities and resource allocation necessary to achieve, maintain and sustain accreditation.
9. Directs and oversees all DFS administrative and programmatic functions. Provides leadership and vision in the development of the DFS annual operating and long-term capital budgets. Works with the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security, the Executive Office for Administration and Finance and legislative officials to advocate for funding to fulfill statutory responsibilities, explain operational priorities, identify funding shortfalls and negotiate funding compromises. Ensures the responsible management of public funds and state resources. Provides leadership and sound fiscal judgment in strategically allocating and managing limited financial resources. Oversees workforce planning and promote a respectful and inclusive workplace. Establish expectations for ethical conduct, accountability and employee performance. Provides strategic oversight of agency facilities and infrastructure, balancing immediate maintenance and operational needs with long-term capital improvements. Ensures adherence to safety standards, environmental compliance and operational readiness of DFS facilities and infrastructure.
10. Provides executive leadership in fire prevention, fire protection engineering, community risk reduction and public fire safety education. Leverages National Emergency Response Information Systems (NERIS) data and emerging fire trends to inform public policy decisions, establish risk reduction priorities, and guide funding objectives for Fire Fighter Safety Equipment and Student Awareness of Fire Education grant programs. Leads the development and modernization of the MA Comprehensive Fire Safety Code to ensure regulations remain responsive to emerging technologies, evolving hazards, and changing public safety needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least 10 years of management experience in the fire service, fire prevention, fire protection engineering, emergency management, or a closely related public safety organization, including substantial senior management or executive leadership responsibilities.
• At least 5 years’ experience managing non-field operations focusing on policy development, budget management, staffing, and oversight of a public safety organization.
• Demonstrated ability to provide executive leadership and strategic direction to a large, complex public safety agency with multiple divisions and diverse statewide operations.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgement, resolve complex operational and policy issues, and maintain the highest standards of integrity and public accountability.
• Knowledge of the state and municipal forms of government and the interrelationships that exist, including administrative and legislative processes, regulatory responsibilities, statutory boards and commissions, and the development and implementation of public policy.
• Demonstrated understanding of emergency management and coordinated response to major fires, explosions, hazardous materials incidents, natural disasters, and other public safety emergencies, including incident command principles and interagency coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a diverse and complex workforce, develop senior management, effectively delegate authority, establish performance goals and promote an effective organizational culture.
• Proven ability to facilitate problem solving, consensus building, conflict resolution, and team building. Experience developing working relationships with elected officials, municipal fire chiefs, labor organizations, law enforcement agencies, regulated industries, and the media.
• Knowledge of community risk reduction and the use of fire incident data, including NERIS or comparable reporting systems, to identify emerging risks and inform priorities and policy decisions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to provide legislative testimony, communicate effectively with the media, and serve as a credible public spokesperson during major emergencies and critical incidents.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) eight (8) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in a particular specialty (i.e. scientific, professional, or technical) and must possess current license and/or registration requirements established for the performance of the position, of which (B) at least five (5) years must have been in a managerial capacity.

Comprehensive Benefits When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.