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Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal

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Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal

The official page for the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal

Media Contact: [email protected]
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The Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Maryland Department of State Police. We are responsible for statewide fire, arson, and explosive investigations, enforcement of the State Fire Prevention Code by plan review and inspections, coordination of fire prevention efforts, and the collection of fire incident data. We take pride in our 131-year history, as the oldest State Fire Marsh

al's Office in the nation and the second oldest State law enforcement agency. Our mission "is the protection of life and property from fire and explosion through the efforts of a diverse, highly trained, and dedicated staff in partnership with other public safety agencies and the community. This is accomplished through aggressive criminal investigation of fire and explosive incidents, quality fire protection engineering services, enforcement of the State Fire Prevention Code, data collection and analysis, and public fire safety education."

06/22/2026

They are among the people who make Maryland a safer place to live, work, and visit. Congratulations to two outstanding members of the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal.

We also extend our congratulations to all of this year’s nominees and thank everyone who helped behind the scenes, including our staff, the Maryland State Firefighters Association, Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS), and Maryland State Police - Aviation Command.

Drop a 💛 a heart in the comments for our fire service.

06/22/2026

🥳 🏆 Today is the big day! All 11 of our award nominees are here, looking sharp and ready to go. Congratulate and wish them good luck in the comments! Maryland State Firefighters Association Convention!

06/20/2026

📣🏆👮‍♂️Jeffrey Thomas Nominated for Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year

Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Jeffrey Thomas has been selected as the Lower Eastern Regional Office nominee for the 2025 James C. Robertson Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year Award. He was nominated by Deputy Chief Matthew Stevens, commander of the Lower Eastern Regional Office.

Thomas will join nominees from across the agency’s regional offices and the Special Operations Section at the Maryland State Firefighters Association Convention in Ocean City, where the statewide recipient will be announced.

A member of the Office of the State Fire Marshal since 2008, Thomas has served in both the Upper Eastern and Lower Eastern Regional offices. Thomas regularly serves as acting regional commander of the Lower Eastern Regional Office when needed.

“Master Deputy Thomas is a trusted investigator and a steady leader within the Lower Eastern Regional Office,” Stevens said. “His professionalism, attention to detail, and willingness to support operations across the state make him an invaluable asset to the agency.”

Thomas is among the agency’s longest-serving accelerant-detection K-9 handlers. After graduating from the ATF National Canine Program in 2014, he partnered with K-9 Billie, who served until her retirement in 2022. He currently works alongside K-9 Deacon, who continues to support fire investigations and community outreach efforts across the region.

In 2025, Thomas and K-9 Deacon responded to 21 fire scenes across Maryland and Delaware, assisting with origin and cause investigations. The pair also contributed approximately 54 hours of community outreach and public safety events.

Alongside his K-9 responsibilities, Thomas led 23 fire and explosive investigations and conducted 31 fire safety inspections in 2025. His investigative work included a notable case involving a licensed fireworks operator that resulted in corrective licensing measures after safety violations were identified.

Thomas is also a Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission instructor and teaches at the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy, helping train the next generation of fire and law enforcement professionals. He maintains strong working relationships with partner agencies across Wicomico, Somerset, and Dorchester counties, including prosecutors, fire service personnel, and law enforcement.

Throughout his career, Thomas has consistently received outstanding performance evaluations and is widely regarded as a mentor to newer deputies. He is known for his reliability, technical expertise, and commitment to the mission of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

06/19/2026

📣🏆👮‍♂️ John Grothe Nominated for Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year — (10 of 11)

Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal John Grothe has been selected as the Upper Eastern Regional Office nominee for the 2025 James C. Robertson Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year Award. He was nominated by Deputy Chief Caryn McMahon, commander of the Upper Eastern Regional Office.

Grothe will join nominees from the agency’s regional offices and Special Operations Section at the Maryland State Firefighters Association Convention in Ocean City, where the statewide Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year will be announced.

According to his commander’s nomination letter, Grothe provided more than 100 days of on-call coverage throughout 2025 while continuing to manage his investigative and inspection responsibilities. His dedication to the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s mission was evident in his service to the citizens of Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties.

“Deputy Grothe consistently demonstrated exceptional professionalism, reliability, and dedication to the mission of the Office of the State Fire Marshal,” McMahon said. “His willingness to prioritize the needs of the agency and the safety of Maryland’s citizens over personal convenience speaks directly to his character and dedication to public service.”

In addition to his fire and explosive investigation duties, Grothe conducted life safety inspections and assisted with numerous public education and community outreach events throughout the region.

Grothe is a certified FBI Bomb Technician and serves as a fi****ms instructor for the agency. He is also a field training officer certified through the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions and a task force officer with the Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, Fi****ms and Explosives.

Grothe is known for his professionalism, positive attitude, and commitment to serving Maryland’s communities.

“Deputy Grothe’s commitment to the mission, his unwavering work ethic, and his willingness to go above and beyond during a challenging year reflect the very best qualities of the Office of the State Fire Marshal,” McMahon said. “His dedication and selfless service make him exceptionally deserving of this recognition.”

VIDEO: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17vsw9xAuB/?mibextid=wwXIfr

06/18/2026

📣🏆👮‍♂️ Melissa Decker Nominated for Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year — (9 of 11)

PIKESVILLE — Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Melissa Decker has been selected as the Southern Region Office nominee for the 2025 James C. Robertson Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year Award. She was nominated by Deputy Chief John Nelson, commander of the Southern Region Office.

Decker will join nominees from each regional office and the Special Operations Section at the Maryland State Firefighters Association in Ocean City on June 22, where the statewide recipient will be announced.

VIDEO: Meet Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Melissa Decker — https://tinyurl.com/utv58xwp

A member of the Office of the State Fire Marshal since 2010, Decker has established a reputation as an investigator, K-9 handler, instructor, and public safety advocate. In 2025, she led 14 fire and explosive investigations, conducted 44 fire and life safety inspections, and completed two prisoner extraditions from Florida and West Virginia.

Decker and her accelerant-detection K-9 partner, Taylor, responded to 62 deployments across Maryland and surrounding jurisdictions in 2025, assisting investigators in identifying ignitable liquids and determining fire origin and cause. The duo graduated from the Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, Fi****ms and Explosives Accelerant Detection Canine Program in 2024, making them one of a limited number of ATF-certified teams nationwide.

Deputy Chief Nelson said Decker’s commitment to community engagement sets her apart.

“In 2025, Melissa participated in 42 public education, community policing, and fire safety events across Southern Maryland and throughout the state,” Nelson wrote in his nomination letter. “Her efforts to educate the public and strengthen community relationships go well beyond the expectations of her position.”

Her outreach includes Shop With a Cop, No Hunger November, Touch-A-Truck events, school career days, fire department camps, and training programs. She regularly brings K-9 Taylor into schools and community events to support fire safety education and provide insight into agency operations.

She also delivered presentations on fire investigation and accelerant-detection K-9 operations to criminal justice students, prosecutors, firefighters, and midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.

“Melissa has a natural ability to connect with people,” Nelson said. “Whether at a fire scene, speaking with future professionals, or engaging with children in the community, she represents the Office of the State Fire Marshal with professionalism and authenticity.”

Nelson added that her “consistency, professionalism, and commitment to service reflect the very best of the agency.”

Outside of work, Decker spends time with family and friends, enjoys traveling, and cares for her dogs, including K-9 Taylor.

06/17/2026

📣🏆👮‍♂️ Deputy State Fire Marshal Mark Grove nominated for 2025 James C. Robertson Award (8 of 11)

PIKESVILLE — Some fire investigations test every skill in the handbook of a fire investigator. For Deputy State Fire Marshal Mark Grove, that moment came when he responded to a fatal house fire that turned into a triple homicide and led to the arrest of seven suspects.

“Every fire scene is pretty chaotic, but this one was amplified because there were deceased victims,” Grove said. “I try not to internalize it too much because it helps me do my job not to let my emotions cloud my judgment.”

His composure, combined with his investigative experience from the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Maryland and a strong work ethic, has earned Grove a nomination for the 2025 James C. Robertson Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year Award. He is one of six uniformed employees selected. The recipient will be announced on June 22 at the Maryland State Firefighters Association Convention in Ocean City.

Born and raised in Hagerstown, Grove made the jump to the Office of the State Fire Marshal in 2023 from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. He is assigned to the Western Region Office, which serves Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties. Grove said the transition from being a deputy to a deputy state fire marshal was layered.

“It’s like baking a cake. As a fire investigator, you’re adding layers to the complexity of the job because it becomes more complex than crimes that you deal with as a patrol officer,” he said. “There’s now an element of fire and destruction.”

In 2025, he led 65 investigations, ranging from a high-rise apartment fire in Hagerstown that forced the evacuation of nearly 200 residents and injured a firefighter to a series of incidents involving damage to sprinkler systems inside Maryland correctional facilities.

One of the region’s most significant investigations also bore Grove’s fingerprints. In November, he assisted in investigating a house fire in Clear Spring that killed three people. The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit assumed the investigation with assistance from the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal. What began as a fatal fire investigation evolved into a homicide case that led to the arrest of seven suspects and became one of Western Maryland’s most high-profile investigations in 2025.

Outside the field, Grove has pursued advanced professional certifications in fire and explosive investigations, strengthening both his own expertise and the capabilities of the agency. Colleagues describe him as a dependable teammate, routinely assisting investigators beyond his assigned region and as a positive presence in the workplace.

Deputy Chief Brandon Beall said Grove has stood out for his ability to handle a heavy investigative workload while maintaining accuracy, thoroughness and professionalism in both fieldwork and follow-up reporting. He added that Grove’s work has already had a measurable impact on regional case resolution and overall investigative efficiency.

Grove comes from a family of firefighters. He is married and lives with a small collection of animals, including dogs, cats, chickens and ducks, effectively operating what amounts to a second shift outside the office.

“I feel honored to be nominated, and I have great appreciation for all of the hard work that my co-workers have done within my region,” Grove said. “I’m looking forward to representing the Western Region Office at the convention.”

06/15/2026

📣🏆👮‍♂️ Master Deputy State Fire Marshal K9 handler Oliver Alkire nominated for the 2025 James C. Robertson Award — (7 of 11)

PIKESVILLE — Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire can often be found at fire scenes with his accelerant-detection K9 partner, Blondie, digging through debris in search of answers that help determine how and why a fire started. On other days, he appears on the evening news speaking with journalists about fire investigations and fire safety as the agency’s spokesperson.

Alkire has worn multiple hats over his tenure at the Office of the State Fire Marshal, serving in ways few others can. This work earned him a nomination for the 2025 James C. Robertson Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year Award. He is one of six uniformed employees nominated. The recipient will be announced on June 22 at the Maryland State Firefighters Association Convention in Ocean City.

“I am truly honored to have been chosen as the Northeast Regional nominee,” Alkire said. “The team consists of the agency’s most senior investigators, so working with such a diverse group of people with niche expertise makes my job and everyone else’s easier when it comes time to put in the work.”

Alkire said his role as a Deputy State Fire Marshal is multi-faceted. Not only is he a fire investigator, but he is also one of four ATF-trained accelerant detection canine handlers within the agency. He is assigned to the Northeast Regional Office serving Carroll, Cecil, and Harford counties.

In 2025, Alkire completed 64 fire and explosion investigations. He and Blondie were deployed 68 times statewide, including 13 requests for assistance from allied agencies. Their work contributed to multiple criminal arrests.

“Master Deputy Alkire has proven himself to be an invaluable member of not only the Northeast Region but the Office of the State Fire Marshal as a whole,” Acting Deputy Chief Howard Ewing wrote in his nomination letter.

Alkire also serves as a Public Information Officer. Over the past year, he contributed more than 250 hours to public communications, producing 58 news releases, issuing 157 investigative notices, and conducting 32 on-camera interviews.

Alkire graduated with honors from Neumann University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Administration. He maintained a 4.0 GPA. Alkire is now pursuing graduate studies in Public Service & Safety Leadership at Drury University.

“I absolutely love coming to work every day,” he said. “I love this job and this agency. I’ve had very few bad days in my 18 years here, and I’ve been fortunate to check so many boxes.”

When he’s not working with Blondie, Alkire is sporting purple and black and debating football like any self-respecting Ravens fan.

06/12/2026

📣🏆 👮‍♂️ Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Dale Ednock nominated for 2025 James C. Robertson Award (6 of 11)

PIKESVILLE (June 12, 2026) — On a winter night over the Potomac River, emergency dispatchers received reports of a mid-air collision between a commercial passenger aircraft and a U.S. Army helicopter. Both aircraft plunged into the river, killing all 67 people on board and launching a multi-agency recovery operation in freezing water.

Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Dale Ednock, assigned to the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal Special Operations Unit, responded along with the Maryland State Police. Working alongside recovery teams, he assisted in identifying and mitigating potential explosive hazards believed to be aboard the helicopter.

“One of the concerns was that the military helicopter was carrying military ordnance,” Ednock said. “We responded to assist in recovering the ordnance that was suspected on that helicopter, but nothing was identified.”

For his work on this response and other complex operations, Ednock has been nominated for the 2025 James C. Robertson Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year Award. He is one of six uniformed personnel nominated from the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The recipient will be announced June 22 at the Maryland State Firefighters Association Convention in Ocean City.

The response was one of several high-profile incidents in a career spanning more than two decades in public safety. He also responded during the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in 2024.

Ednock serves as assistant bomb squad commander and is among Maryland’s most experienced explosive ordnance disposal technicians. Before joining the Office of the State Fire Marshal, he served with the Prince George County Fire and EMS, where he spent eight years as bomb squad commander before retiring as Captain.

“Being on the Potomac was surreal,” he said. “You understand the magnitude of what happened. However, you have to be able to separate yourself and remember that you have a mission to complete.”

As a member of Maryland’s Bomb Squad, Ednock responds to suspicious packages, explosive devices, military ordnance, and other incidents requiring specialized disposal expertise. Over the past year, he served as primary bomb technician on 19 calls for service and supported additional responses, along with approximately 90 explosive-related inspections in 2025.

His certifications include hazardous device technician qualifications, tactical bomb technician training, underwater hazardous device expertise, fi****ms instruction, and unmanned aerial systems operation. Colleagues routinely rely on him for technical guidance and troubleshooting across those disciplines.

“I am honored and humbled to be nominated for Deputy of the Year,” Ednock said. “I am truly proud to serve alongside such a dedicated team of professionals. I couldn't ask to work with a better group. We are definitely one team.”

06/09/2026

📣🏆 Fire Safety Inspector Paul Byington nominated for 2025 Civilian of the Year Award (5 of 11)

PIKESVILLE (June 9, 2026) — The work of a fire safety inspector is rarely thrilling or glamorous. There are no flashing lights or fancy uniforms, no urgent radio calls, and no crowds gathering to watch. Most days pass quietly, and that suits Fire Safety Inspector Paul Byington.

“I’ve always been quiet—that’s just my personality. I tend to observe more than I speak,” Byington said. “But once people get to know me, I open up and they see more of who I am.”

Those who know him learn that he is a veteran of the United States Navy and the United States Army, with deployments to Honduras, the Bahamas, Japan, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He served in the Naval Construction Battalions, better known as the Seabees. While stationed in Louisiana, he supported recovery efforts by removing debris and assisting with infrastructure repairs in communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

That same sense of service continues in his work in Maryland. Byington has been nominated for the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s 2025 Civilian of the Year Award. He is one of five civilian employees selected statewide. The recipient will be announced June 22 Maryland State Firefighters Association Convention in Ocean City.

He joined the Lower Eastern Regional Office in 2024, serving Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. As a fire safety inspector, Byington conducts inspections for fire and life-safety hazards, verifies compliance with state fire codes, documents violations, and works with property owners to correct deficiencies while improving overall safety. He completed more than 1,000 inspections in 2025.

“Paul hit the ground running,” said Deputy Chief Matthew Stevens, commander of the Lower Eastern Regional Office. “What stands out most is his consistency. The work can be repetitive, but Paul approaches every inspection with the same level of professionalism and attention to detail.”

Outside of work, Byington is a husband and father who has called Maryland home since 2009. Colleagues describe him as reserved and observant, more focused on the work itself than on recognition.

“It means a lot to me that I’ve been nominated for the award,” Byington said. “It reflects the hard work and dedication of the Lower Eastern Regional Office and the State of Maryland.”

Address

1201 Reisterstown Road
Pikesville, MD
21208

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Monday	8am - 4pm
Tuesday	8am - 4pm
Wednesday	8am - 4pm
Thursday	8am - 4pm
Friday	8am - 4pm

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+14103394200

Website

https://mdsp.maryland.gov/firemarshal/Pages/StateFireMarshal.aspx

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