About the Division of State Fire Marshal

Who are we?

Ohio's Division of State Fire Marshal, located in Reynoldsburg, is the oldest established office of its kind in the United States.

It consists of eight bureaus: Administration, Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulation (BUSTR), Code Enforcement, Fire Prevention, Forensic Laboratory, Investigation Bureau, Ohio Fire Academy and Testing and Registration.

The State Fire Marshal's Office has worked extensively in the areas of Incident Command and Management, Weapons of Mass Destruction training and personnel protection equipment for all of Ohio's first responders, including fire, EMS, law enforcement, health and public works.

The SFM also is responsible for modernizing, promulgating and enforcing the Ohio Fire Code; designing and presenting fire prevention programs; analyzing fire-related criminal evidence; investigating the cause and origin of fires and explosions; training firefighters; providing fire safety education to business, industry and the general public; regulating underground storage tanks; testing and training; and licensing and certification support services.

What is our mission?

Mission Statement:

Division activities focus on education, research, regulation and enforcement in the area of fire safety and fire prevention.

How are we structured?

The State Fire Marshal leads the following eight bureaus:

• The Administration section provides administrative, communications, fiscal and legal support for the State Fire Marshal's Office, and organizes special events such as the Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame ceremony.
• The Fire & Explosion Investigation Bureau investigates fires and explosions throughout the state.
• The Forensic Laboratory analyzes evidence from fires and explosions as well as hazardous material leaks and spills.
• The Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations (BUSTR) regulates and enforces Ohio's underground storage tank regulations.
• The Fire Prevention Bureau educates Ohio's citizens about preventing fires and promotes good fire and life safety practices for individuals, schools, homes and businesses.
• The Code Enforcement Bureau inspects hotels, motels, hospitals and other buildings to ensure they are up to the standards set by the Ohio Fire Code.
• The Ohio Fire Academy provides training to firefighters and emergency responders through diverse, accredited courses on campus and through the Direct Delivery Program.
• The Testing & Registration Bureau oversees the regulatory responsibilities of the companies and individuals licensed and regulated by the Division of State Fire Marshal.

Whom do we serve?

• Citizens of Ohio
• Citizens and visitors who rely on safe hospitals, nursing homes, hotels and other buildings
• Victims of all fires, including arson
• Firefighters and emergency responders
• The underground storage tank community
• Students and others who learn about fire and life safety practices and fire prevention

What do we do?

• Inspect nursing homes, hotels and other buildings
• Educate citizens about fire prevention
• Regulate underground storage tanks
• Assist and advise at hazardous material accidents
• Modernize and enforce the State Fire Code
• Train firefighters
• Investigate fire scenes and analyze fire-related criminal evidence

How are we funded?

All bureaus except BUSTR obtain funding from an assessment on fire insurance premiums sold in Ohio.

BUSTR receives some federal grants and derives other funds from program and service fees.