Division of Fire Safety

Fire Prevention Officer Training Program The Department of Fire Services is pleased to introduce a multi-level training program for fire prevention officers. The training will prepare them to receive credentials for each level of the training from the State Fire Marshal - Basic, Level I and Level II. The first level - Fire Prevention Officer - Basic has an e-learning component and is the first part of the training to be launched. This program is the introductory level of our new Fire Prevention Officer Credentialing program and is designed to address the need of everyday fire prevention activities across the Commonwealth by providing information on basic inspections, smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarms, liquid propane (LP) installations and oil burner installations. The Credentialing Program will be issued by the State Fire Marshal to any Massachusetts fire service individual. 

Code Compliance officers are responsible for ensuring uniform statewide compliance with the laws and regulations the State Fire Marshal is charged to enforce. The unit can be asked to look into any matter covered by MGL Chapter 148 or 527 CMR. Code Compliance officers have statewide jurisdiction and are designated by the State Fire Marshal to support the regulatory compliance efforts of local fire department officers and to enhance our fire prevention goals.

Technical support staff provides fire protection engineering support, fire code interpretations, and opinions on the application of fire safety laws and regulations, and support to local enforcement agencies. Code compliance officers review plans and issue permits for the operation of aboveground storage tanks. The State Fire Marshal issues advisories to the public and fire professionals.

Please note: Effective July 1, 2009 administration of the Underground Storage Tank Program (UST) has been transferred to the Department of Environmental Protection. (Phone: 617-556-1035 Ext. 2)

Technical support staff are also responsible for licensing of people and companies engaged in fireworks, blasting, explosives, special effects, cannon and mortar firing, commercial cooking exhaust system cleaning and inspection, special hazard systems and portable fire extinguishers.

All public fire and safety education programs are run by the Public Education Unit of the Office of the State Fire Marshal. They provide technical assistance to local fire departments, health educators, medical and public health professionals, classroom teachers, elder service providers, community and service organizations, and anyone else interested in collaborating on life safety education. Look here for a list of events and flyers as well as information on the S.A.F.E. program and Juvenile Firesetters Intervention Programs.

The Fire Data Unit maintains the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS ) and the Massachusetts Burn Injury Reporting System (M-BIRS ). By analyzing this data, we can see what causes fires and burns, determine if problems are getting better or worse and develop appropriate prevention plans.