Since 1997 the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) has been part of the Texas Department of Insurance as directed by SB 371, 75th Legislature. In addition to the staff located at the SFMO headquarters in Austin, SFMO employees are strategically located across the state to respond quickly to requests.

Mission: The State Fire Marshal’s Office operates with one goal in mind: to reduce loss of life and property due to fire and related hazards.

Vision: Through the efforts of four divisions, Prevention and Outreach, Fire Safety Inspections, Licensing and Enforcement, and Fire Investigations, and in collaboration with private sector entities, the regulated fire service industry, the Texas fire service, local and state agencies, and the public, we seek to create communities well prepared to protect themselves against fire.

Strategy: In keeping with the adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” we believe that prevention is the most effective means of fire protection. We incorporate the principles of Engineering, Enforcement and Education into innovative fire protection. Fire personnel working in the areas of Engineering learn why fires are occurring and distill their findings into accurate, relevant fire protection information. Enforcement reinforces Engineering by ensuring that the public adheres to fire safety codes and statutes. Through Education, we design and deliver vital fire prevention services and information to the audiences and communities most in need of it. At our core, we understand that fire is largely preventable. We believe that through fire and life safety engineering, enforcement and education, we can help create safer communities and reduce the impact of fire.

State Fire Marshal's Office site map.

News and Announcements

Commissioner's Bulletin No. B-0046-07

TO: ALL FOSTER CARE PROVIDERS AND FIRE INSPECTION OFFICIALS
RE: Fire Inspection of Foster Care Facilities.

Fire-Safe Cigarettes Are Coming to Texas

Starting in 2010, all cigarettes sold in Texas must be "Fire Safe." Learn more about fire-safe cigarettes in Texas.

Texas Launches Lifesaving Training Program Developed by National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

The State Fire Marshal wants to inform Texas fire departments how they can help prevent firefighter line-of-duty deaths with the Courage To Be Safe program.

Have an Exit Strategy

A new statewide campaign, Have an Exit Strategy, has been designed to spread a simple, yet powerful fire safety message: Always locate a second exit when entering a public place.

Notices

• School Fire Exit Drill Report Forms
  Effective March 8, 2004, schools are required to maintain fire drill and fire prevention education forms in the school or district office and make them available to local or state officials upon request. The schools should keep forms for three years. This rule change should substantially reduce the workload associated with this important fire safety effort.
  Download the 2007-2008 form and obtain additional information.
• Fire Safety Education Resources for Educators and Fire Safety Professionals
  The State Fire Marshal's Office offers a variety of programs and services that promote fire-safe awareness and behavior among Texas' young people.
• USFA Helps Local Fire Departments Get Fire Safety Facts In Local News Media
  The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) helps local Fire Service personnel to get fire safety facts in the news when they enlist in the Quick Response Media Corps. Membership is free. Sign up or send an e-mail for the enrollment form.
• TFS Helping Hands Program Provides Surplus FD Equipment
  The Texas Forest Service administers the VFD Helping Hands Program, which accepts and donates surplus fire and emergency equipment to volunteer fire departments across the state.

SFMO Responsibilities include:

• arson investigations.
• fire safety inspections.
• fire prevention education.
• flammable liquids at retail service stations.
• licensing and regulation of fire alarms, extinguishers, sprinklers and fireworks.
• the Texas Fire Incident Reporting System (TEXFIRS).
• Texas firefighter fatality investigations.
• Public Protection Classification (PPC) Oversight.
• Juvenile Fire Awareness and Intervention Program.