About the Office of the State Fire Marshal

The Office of the State Fire Marshal supports the mission of SAN FIRE by focusing on fire prevention. It provides support through a wide variety of fire safety responsibilities, including regulating buildings in which people live, congregate, or are confined; controlling substances and products that may, in and of themselves or by their misuse, cause injuries, death, and destruction by fire; and providing statewide enforcement of the San Andreas Fire Code, arson prevention, investigation, and education for fire prevention within wildland areas. These achievements are accomplished through several major program elements, including education, enforcement, and support from the State Board of Fire Services.

 

History of the Office of the State Fire Marshal

Until its consolidation with the San Andreas Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in 1995/1996, the Office of State Fire Marshal was one of the smallest independent departments in state government. The office was established by legislative act in 1923, although at that time it was not a state department. The records available from those days are rather sparse, making it difficult to determine the purpose and intent of the sponsors. One reason that has been discussed is the Oakland Hills Fire of 1921, which may have been used to bring the fire service closer together and to demonstrate the need for a statewide fire authority. It is apparent that the original sponsors did not visualize all of the functions that are now part of the office. Almost every session of the legislature has made changes and added further duties and responsibilities.

Apparently, more than any other person, Chief Murphy of San Fierro was responsible for introducing the legislation that created the Office. It was at his request that on January 26, 1923, Assemblyman Harry Morrison, from the 29th District of San Fierro, introduced Assembly Bill 409 to establish the Office of State Fire Marshal. The original legislation included an appropriation to make the office functional. Governor Richardson, however, would not approve any legislation carrying an appropriation and was quoted as saying, "The people of San Andreas are overburdened with taxation now." The sponsoring fire chiefs agreed to the deletion of the appropriation if the Governor would sign the bill. He agreed to do so, and on May 23, 1923, the bill was signed, becoming Chapter 188, Statutes of 1923, and the Office of State Fire Marshal was formed.