The Massachusetts Fire Service Commission appoints the State Fire Marshal; promulgates regulations and policies about the Office of the State Fire Marshal (Division of Fire Safety); reviews the annual budget of the Office of the State Fire Marshal (Division of Fire Safety); advises the Office of the State Fire Marshal (Division of Fire Safety) on state and national fire codes; and consults with the Massachusetts Fire Training Council to develop standards for fire investigation and certification.
The eight-member Commission is composed of the Secretary of Public Safety and Security (ex-officio) and seven members appointed by the Governor. These members include four fire chiefs from a list submitted by the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts reflecting one fully-paid fire department, one partially paid part-call fire department, one full-call fire department, and one fire department from within Fire District 13; one firefighter from a list submitted by the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts; one firefighter or fire officer below the rank of chief from a list submitted by the Massachusetts Call/Volunteer Firefighters Association; and one representative of the insurance industry.
The Massachusetts Firefighter Service Award honors the Commonwealth's firefighters for years of service.
The Fire Service Commission credentials Fire Chiefs.