Background
The Office of State Fire Marshal (SFM) was created in 1905 and charged with the responsibility of investigating the “origin, cause and circumstances” of fires, and maintaining fire incident reports submitted by local fire departments. Division responsibilities now include the development and adoption of the Minnesota State Fire Code, fire safety inspections, public fire safety education, data analysis, licensing and certification programs, and a variety of other duties.
Mission
The mission of the State Fire Marshal Division (SFM) is to protect lives and property by fostering a fire safe environment through investigation, enforcement, regulation, emergency response, data collection, and public education.
Funding
The State Fire Marshal Division is funded (FY13) by a mix of Special Revenue Accounts, including the Fire Safety Account and accounts for fire safety inspection programs in hotels and motels,day care facilities, public and charter schools, and daycare facilities. Federal funds are received for the health care facility inspection program,
Programs
Explosives Licensing and Permit Program
The SFM issues licenses to those persons who manufacture, assemble, warehouse or store explosives or blasting agents for purposes of wholesale or retail sale. Those who use explosives or blasting agentsare required to be licensed or obtain a permit issued by the local sheriff or chief of police. A total of 33 licenses were issued during 2012.
Fire Code Development, Adoption and Training
The SFM develops and adopts a comprehensive state-wide fire code, on a three-year cycle, to ensure conformance with the latest nationally recognized fire prevention standards. Interpretation and enforcement training is provided to local fire authorities in an effort to achieve consistent state-wide application and enforcement of code requirements.
Fire Incident Reporting
More than 235,000 fire incident and burn injury reports are analyzed annually. An internet based system is used to gather fire incident data from reporting fire departments. Information gathered is used to improve the state’s fire code, increase public fire safety awareness, and effectively focus state and local resources on fire safety issues.
Fire Inspection
In 2012twenty-one SFM inspectors conducted 3,228initial and 1,876 follow up inspectionsof hotels, motels, daycare centers, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, group homes, foster care facilities, correctional facilities, sprinkler installations and places of assembly. Inspectors provide fire safety consultation and training to fire officials, architects, engineers, contractors, building inspectors, government officials, building owners and operators, and the general public.
Fire Investigation and Training
Investigators assist local fire and law enforcement agencies with the origin and cause investigation of fatal fires, obvious arson fires, fires of suspicious nature, multiple injury and large dollar loss fires. In 2012,426 investigations and 35 consultationswere conducted by 11 investigators. Comprehensive fire investigation training is provided to local fire and law enforcement personnel. Continuing educationprograms areconducted for individual county and regional fire investigation teams, and in conjunction with various state conferences and fire schools.
Fire Protection Systems
The SFM regulates the fire protection industry through licensing of contractors and certification of sprinkler fitters. Staff conducts system plan reviews to ensure that contractors and designers are correctly designing fire sprinkler systems. The field inspection program ensures that systems are properly installed. 450 plan reviews were conducted in 2012.
Fire Standard Compliant Cigarette Program (FSC)
The (FSC) Program ensures thatall cigarettes sold in Minnesota are in compliance with the FSC standards established in statute. These standards are designed to reduce the ignition propensity of cigarettes so they will self-extinguish when not actively smoked, thereby reducing the likelihood of accidental fires.1,000 brand styles were certified in 2012.
Fireworks Operator Certification
The SFM enforces state law regarding public fireworks display safety and the certification of public display fireworks operators. Certified operators submit a report for each display conducted identifying the certified operator and any assistants. Operators also provide information about property damage, injuries, and product defects which may have occurred during the display. 320 operators were certified in 2012.
Minnesota Board of Fire Fighter Training and Education (MBFTE)
The MBFTE is charged with reimbursing fire departments for a portion of firefighter training costs, qualifying fire service instructors and curriculum, and licensing of firefighters. During 2012 approximately $2.3 million in training funds were made available to Minnesota’s 785 fire departments. More than 4,700 career and paid on-call firefighters are licensed by the Board.
Public Fire Education and Youth Firesetter Intervention
The Public FireEducation Program works with local fire authorities, state professional organizations and other state agencies to reduce the devastating impacts of fire. The program serves as an information clearinghouse, facilitates fire prevention activities, and provides fire safety training in conjunction with state conferences and fire schools.The Youth FiresetterIntervention Program works with families and children, fire and law enforcement, mental health associations, and the juvenile justice system to reduce fire setting behavior of juveniles and to promote fire safety.
Shared Services Program
The Shared Fire & Rescue Services Program provides grants to fire departments for feasibility studies identifying ways to reduce costs and/or improve efficiency and effectiveness by sharing equipment, training, and other resources among multiple departments. $200,000 was awarded to 8 applicants during 2012. Nearly $400,000 was requested from 13 applicants.
445Minnesota Street, Suite 145, St. Paul, Minnesota55101-5145
Phone: 651/201-7200 ● Fax: 651/215-0525 ● TTY: 651/282-6555
Website:
State Fire Marshal Division / Page 2 of 2Current (2012) Staffing:
Fire Safety Inspectors21
Fire/Arson Investigators/Trainer12
Fire Code Training & Development1
Fire Code Specialist1
Fire Protection Systems4
Public Fire Educator1
Youth Fire Setter Interventionist1
Fire Service Support Specialist1
Support Staff / Data Management8
Administration3
Total Staff53
Contacts:
Jerry Rosendahl
State Fire Marshal
651-201-7201
Bob Dahm
Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal
651-201-7202
Bruce West
Executive Director
Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education
651-201-7258
445Minnesota Street, Suite 145, St. Paul, Minnesota55101-5145
Phone: 651/201-7200 ● Fax: 651/215-0525 ● TTY: 651/282-6555
Website: