Division of Fire Safety

Office of the State Fire Marshal

DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY HISTORY

The Missouri State Fire Marshal's office was established in 1972 by the 76th General Assembly following extensive lobbying efforts by members of the fire service and fire service organizations around the state including, the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri, West Central Firemen's Association, the Missouri Association of Fire Chiefs, and Missouri Arson Association.

Senate Bill No. 487 was introduced in the 1972 session by Senator Truman E. Wilson (D-St. Joseph).  It provided for hiring a fire marshal, a deputy, four investigators, and a secretary.  The fire marshal and his staff were tasked with three basic responsibilities:  assist police, fire department, and insurance investigators in cases of suspected arson, establish a central records file on suspicious fires, and develop programs to train local departments in the collection and preservation of evidence.  Funding for the position and staff did not pass until 1973.

In 1974, the State Fire Marhal's Office was transferred to the Department of Public Safety by the Omnibus State Reorganization Act.  Under the Reorganization Act, the Inspection Unit was established to conduct fire safety inspections of facilities regulated by the Department of Health, Department of Mental Health, Division of Aging, and the Division of Family Services.  Inspectors previously under the Department of Health were transferred to the State Fire Marshal's office.

In 1984, the Office of the State Fire Marshal was assigned the task of enforcing House Bill 1060 which mandates the inspection and issuance of certificates of inspection of all non-exempt boilers and pressure vessels in Missouri.   This created the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Unit.  The unit enforces rules set forth by the Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessels Rules which was appointed by the Governor.

In 1985, the 83rd General Assembly enacted legislation which gave the State Fire Marshal's Office responsibility for implementing and enforcing legislation pertaining to the fireworks industry.

Effective 1985, the State Fire Marshal's Office became known as the Division of Fire Safety.  The Missouri Fire Safety Advisory Board was appoined by the Governor to advise the Fire Marshal on all matters pertaining to the responsibilities of the Fire Marshal and the Division.

The Division of Fire Safety was assigned the duty of enforcing House Bill 230 in 1986.  House Bill 230 provides cost-free training to all firefighters in the state.  The Division is mandated to offer training to fire fighters, investigators and any state employees performing fire inspections pursuant to state statutes or state licensing requirements.  House Bill 230 also tasks responsibility of the tabulation of state fire incident reports which gathers information regarding fire losses in the state and provides statistical data to the Division.

The Federal Hotel/Motel Safety Act , enacted in 1990 under Public Law 101-391, was assigned to the Division of Fire Safety.  The federal law is designed to save lives and protect property by promoting fire and life safety in hotels, motels and other places of public accommodation.

With the passage of House Bill 1035, in 1994, the Elevator Safety Act was established and awarded to the Division of Fire Safety to implement.   The Elevator Safety Board was appointed by the Governor to promulgate rules regarding this act.  The rules became effective on July 1, 1999, requiring all elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, and moving walkways to be inspected annually.

In 1997, the Division was given the responsibility of the investigation of accidents involving amusement rides.  Promulgated rules have been submitted to the Secretary of State and approved.  This law requires the Division of Fire Safety to contract with a qualified inspector to conduct an investigation of an amusement ride accident that results in a serious physical injury or death.

Comments or suggestions? Contact firesafe@dfs.state.mo.us

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