Dirk Johnson, Montana State Fire Marshal “Montana’s rural nature and unpredictable climate create some challenging fire safety circumstances for our state’s paid and volunteer firefighters, and for the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Our deputy state fire marshals take pride in the investigative and fire safety expertise they provide to communities throughout the state.”
State Fire Marshal’s Office
Montana’s Fire Prevention and Investigation Program is authorized by Title 50, Chapter 3 of the Montana Code Annotated.
Under that program, Montana’s deputy state fire marshals:
- provide statewide fire prevention and investigation services to nearly 400 fire agencies, 56 county sheriff’s departments, more than 60 city police departments and numerous other state and federal agencies
- assist with adoption of fire safety regulations, inspection of public buildings, establishment and promotion of fire prevention programs, certification of local inspection programs, and the investigation of fires to determine cause and origin
- manage and maintain the records of all fires that occur within the state
- provide training to local public safety agencies
***IF YOU ARE TRYING TO REPORT A FIRE OR OTHER EMERGENCY, PLEASE DIAL 911
NFIRS Data Reporting Requirements
The State Fire Marshal’s Office manages the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for Montana through an e-mail account. Local fire and law enforcement agencies can e-mail [email protected] or call (406) 791-2706 to:
- get the latest version of the reporting system (also available from www.nfirs.fema.gov)
- report incidents to NFIRS
- reset your department password
- reactivate an inactive NFIRS account (Note: To keep your NFIRS account active, log in on a monthly basis even if there is no incident to report. Simply check the “no activity” box and log out.)
- ask questions about the reporting system
Please include the nature of your request in the e-mail’s subject line.
Guidelines for Requesting Investigation Assistance
The State Fire Marshal’s Office makes deputy state fire marshals available to assist in determining the cause and origin of fires. It is appropriate for local fire or law enforcement officials to request assistance when they need help in:
- investigating fires that caused substantial financial losses (approximately $250,000 or more)
- investigating fires involving fatalities or serious injuries
- determining the cause of a fire
To request assistance with a fire investigation:
- IF YOU ARE REPORTING AN ACTIVE FIRE PLEASE DIAL 911
- If you are requesting a fire investigation during regular business hours, call the State Fire Marshal’s office at (406) 771-1510
- after hours, call the Montana Highway Patrol dispatch at (406) 841-7044
Be ready to explain that you need the assistance of a Deputy State Fire Marshal at a fire scene and provide:
- your name, title, agency, city and county, and address of fire
- a telephone number where you can be reached
Shortly after a local agency requests assistance, a Deputy State Fire Marshal will call to gather information and discuss when he or she will arrive on the scene. Prior to a Deputy State Fire Marshal’s arrival, it is helpful if local officials:
- secure the scene
- gather witness information
- diagram the building
Cannabis Fire Inspections Checklist and List of Certified Fire Inspection Jurisdictions
Temporary Lodging Facilities Fire Safety Checklist
Mobile Food Preparation Vehicles
- There is new code language in the 2021 IFC (International Fire Code) dealing with Mobile Food Preparation Vehicles, that takes effect May 1st, 2024
- SECTION 319- MOBILE FOOD PREPARATION VEHICLES
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319.1 General. Mobile food preparation vehicles that are equipped with appliances that produce smoke or grease-laden vapors shall comply with this section. Mobile food preparation vehicles manufactured prior to the adoption of this code shall comply with section 319.3 and 319.4 on or before May 1st, 2023.
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- 319.3 Exhaust hood. Cooking equipment that produces grease-laden vapors shall be provided with a kitchen exhaust hood in accordance with Section 606.
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- 319.4 Fire protection. Fire protection shall be provided in accordance with Sections 319.4.1 and 319.4.2.
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- 319.4.1 Fire protection for cooking equipment. Cooking equipment shall be protected by automatic fire extinguishing systems in accordance with Section 904.13.
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- 319.4.2 Fire extinguisher. Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in accordance with Section 906.4.
MT State Fire Death Information Form
Fire-Death-Information-Form.pdf
Firefighter Applicant Background Packet
Firefighter Applicant Fingerprint Information.pdf
Contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office
Citizens with information about a fire should contact their local fire or law enforcement agency, or the State Fire Marshal’s Office at (406) 791-2706.
Local fire and law enforcement agencies should review the Guidelines for Requesting Assistance before contacting the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Lisa Fischer, Administrative Assistant
Fire Prevention and Investigation Section
Division of Criminal Investigation
Department of Justice
P.O. Box 991
Great Falls, MT 59403
Phone: (406) 791-2706
E-mail: [email protected]
Dirk Johnson, State Fire Marshal
Fire Prevention and Investigation Section
Division of Criminal Investigation
Department of Justice
P.O. Box 991
Great Falls, MT 59403
Phone: (406) 771-1510
E-mail: [email protected]
Regional Offices
Area 1 – Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, and Sanders Counties
Dawn R. Drollinger, Deputy State Fire Marshal
Fire Prevention & Investigation Section
Division of Criminal Investigation
P.O. Box 1864
Kalispell, MT 59903
Phone: (406) 270-7641
E-mail: [email protected]
Area 2 – Cascade, Chouteau, Glacier, Hill, Liberty, Pondera, Teton and Toole Counties
Doug Ulsh, Deputy State Fire Marshal
Fire Prevention & Investigation Section
Division of Criminal Investigation
P.O. Box 991
Great Falls, MT 59403
Phone: (406) 791-2710
E-mail: [email protected]
Area 3 – Daniels, Dawson, Garfield, McCone, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Valley and Wibaux Counties
George Lane, Deputy State Fire Marshal
Fire Prevention & Investigation Section
Division of Criminal Investigation
218 West Bell Ste. 204
Glendive, MT 59330
Phone: (406) 439-6227
E-mail: [email protected]
Area 4 – Big Horn, Carbon, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, and Yellowstone Counties
Keith Kober, Deputy State Fire Marshal
Fire Prevention & Investigation Section
Division of Criminal Investigation
P.O. Box 31094
Billings, MT 59107
Phone: (406) 896-4388
E-mail: [email protected]
Area 5 – Meagher, and Wheatland Counties *Cannabis only inspections in Beaverhead, Gallatin, Madison, and Park Counties
Ron Martin, Deputy State Fire Marshal
Fire Prevention & Investigation Section
Division of Criminal Investigation
P.O. Box 991
Great Falls, MT 59403
Phone: (406) 791-2721
E-mail: [email protected]
Area 6 – Blaine, Fergus, Judith Basin, Petroleum, and Phillips Counties
Adam Wajer, Deputy State Fire Marshal
Fire Prevention & Investigation Section
Division of Criminal Investigation
P.O. Box 991
Great Falls, MT 59403
Phone (406) 438-5664
Email: [email protected]
Area 7 – Granite, Mineral, Missoula, and Ravalli Counties
James Jessop, Deputy State Fire Marshal
Fire Prevention & Investigation Section
Division of Criminal Investigation
P.O. Box 455
Corvallis, MT 59828
Phone: (406) 438-5576
E-mail: [email protected]
Area 8 – Beaverhead, Gallatin, Madison, and Park Counties ( *does not inspect cannabis facilities in these counties- see area 5 for contact)
VACANT
Fire Prevention & Investigation Section
Division of Criminal Investigation
Phone (406) 791-2706
Email: [email protected]
Area 9 – Carter, Custer, Fallon, Powder River, Rosebud, Treasure, and Yellowstone Counties
Bill Tatum, Deputy State Fire Marshal
Fire Prevention & Investigation Section
Division of Criminal Investigation
P.O. Box 31094
Billings, MT 59107
Phone: (406) 594-7078
E-mail: [email protected]
Shared 4 and 9
Area 10- Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, Powell, and Silver Bow Counties
Mark Criner, Deputy State Fire Marshal
Fire Prevention & Investigation Section
Division of Criminal Investigation
P.O. Box 201417
Helena, MT 59602
Phone: (406) 750-2112
Email: [email protected]
Other Fire Resources