Introduction
The Fire
Marshal agency is charged with the responsibility of
enforcing the codes and standards relative to fire and life safety
adopted by the State Fire Marshal Commission and as
designated by state statutes. The State Fire Marshal or his
agents investigate acts of arson, or attempted arson, or
conspiracy to defraud, and keep records of such
investigations. The agents of the State Fire Marshal carry
out an extensive fire prevention inspection program in
nursing homes, schools, child care centers, hospitals, and
other public-use buildings. The agency issues orders for
condemnation or repair of dangerous or dilapidated buildings
that constitute a hazard to life or other property. The
State Fire Marshal examines plans and specifications of
certain types of new construction or remodeling to see that
they meet minimum fire safety requirements. This agency is
authorized to assist any city, town or county in the
enforcement of the building codes and standards adopted by
the State of Oklahoma.
Our History
The State Fire Marshal's Office was originally
established in 1910, but then abolished in 1957. Recognizing
the need for a State Fire Marshal, the Oklahoma fire service
voiced concerns, and the office was reestablished in 1965.
Prior to this, fires were investigated by agents with the
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) and code
enforcement/plan review regulations were conducted only in
cities having an established code enforcement office.
In 1965, the Legislature
established the Office of the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal,
and a five member Commission was appointed to oversee the
agency's operations, including the hiring of the State Fire
Marshal.
Today
Today, the agency has three divisions: Administration and
Public Education, Fire Investigations, and Code Enforcement.
It has 29 employees with an annual appropriated budget of
approximately 1.6 million dollars. The State Fire Marshal's
Office is headquartered in Oklahoma City. All agents are
sworn peace officers. Field agents are located throughout
the state and work out of home offices.
The agency has gone to a
"neighborhood agent" program. This simply means that
each agent is assigned between three and five counties and
is charged with code enforcement, fire investigation and
public education for the assigned area. This will
allow the communities in those counties to work with one
agent and will result in a better working relationship
between the agency and our consumers.
Office of the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal
2401 NW 23rd, Suite 4
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73107
405-522-5005 / Fax: 405-522-5028
TDD/TTY:1-800-722-0353
Send comments or recommendations to
Webmaster.
|
