Mississippi Office of the State Fire Marshal

05/28/2026

Last week at the 4th annual Mississippi Public Safety Summit, Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney was honored to present Captain John Clark with the Firefighter of the Year Award.

“John Clark’s outstanding leadership and selfless dedication at the Belzoni Fire Department and serving as the Humphreys County Fire Coordinator has made a lasting impact on the community he serves. We proudly commend him for his tireless efforts and commitment to protecting others,” said Chaney.

05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day. Today, we honor the brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Our offices are closed in observance of the holiday.

05/23/2026

Memorial Day BBQs are a blast, but safety comes first! Avoid injury and insurance claims with these tips:
1. Keep your grill away from flammable items.
2. Never leave it unattended.
3. Use long-handled tools.
4. Clean it regularly.

05/22/2026

If you'll be grilling this weekend or on Memorial Day, go ahead and do the prep work now. Clean the grill to reduce the risk of fire.

05/12/2026

Eric Riley (4th from left) was honored this morning at the 2026 Top Cop Appreciation Day for his exceptional work for the State Fire Marshal's office. Congratulations, Eric!

05/12/2026

Insurance Comm. and State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney received the 2026 Malcolm McMillin Public Service Award during Top Cop Appreciation Day at the Trade Mart.

Read more here:https://www.mid.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Pressrel051226-1.pdf

Comm. Chaney is honored and grateful for the award, "I think that this award reflects not just what I’ve done, but the work put in by so many others to make our state and communities stronger. Serving is both a privilege and a responsibility, and I accept this honor with humility and renewed dedication."

04/28/2026

Congratulations to Assistant Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Jonathan Owens on his retirement. Owens has served the State of Mississippi for more than 30 years across the military, fire, emergency medical, and law enforcement fields. Enjoy your retirement!

04/28/2026

03/24/2026

Deputy State Fire Marshals determined a space heater is to blame for the death of 77-year-old George Byron Lee in D’Iberville. The fire was reported on Monday, March 23 around 6:00 p.m. at 4321 West Gay Road. Neighbors noticed smoke stains on the outside of the camper and saw fire damage inside once they opened the door. The Harrison County coroner advised that Lee had been deceased for several days prior to being found.

Read the full news release here:

Email from Mississippi Insurance Department Important Fire Safety Reminders for Your Home   For Immediate Release   Media Contact: Beth Reiss Communications Director 601-359-2403 [email protected]

03/17/2026

State Fire Marshal and Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney has appointed Kevin D. Butler as Chief Deputy Fire Marshal, overseeing the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO), effective March 9, 2026. Read the full announcement here: https://conta.cc/3P9XwBz