Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office

10/06/2026

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is teaming up with NFPA to
promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week™, October 4 -10, Charge
into Fire Safety™: Safe Charging Is a Superpower.

Please help us spread the word that everyday actions can help prevent lithium-ion battery fires. Use your charging superpower by making smart choices every time you plug in.

For more info: fpw.org.

09/28/2026

DOVER, DE — Today, the Delaware Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DODHH) and the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office (DSFMO) hosted a live demonstration at the Delaware Department of Labor, to officially launch the Accessibility Equipment Program. Established under House Bill 53, this vital initiative; Fire & Carbon Monoxide Alert Device Program, provides accessible visual and tactile fire and carbon monoxide alerting equipment to eligible Delaware residents.

The event, titled “Life Safety in Action: Fire and Carbon Monoxide Alert Device Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing,” marks a major milestone during Deaf Awareness Month. This event highlighted how specialized equipment—including flash receivers, vibrating bed shakers, and alarm clocks with bed shakers—will protect citizens who cannot hear standard audible safety alarms. "Standard audible smoke alarms are entirely ineffective if you cannot hear them, leaving the Deaf and hard of hearing communities disproportionately vulnerable to home fire fatalities," said Rebekah LePore, program representative for the Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office. "In a fire, every second counts. By providing specialized visual strobe alerts and tactile bed shakers, this program bridges a critical safety gap and ensures that these citizens receive the immediate, life-saving warnings they need to escape safely.”

Today’s presentation included a live demonstration of life-saving equipment and featured key remarks from state officials and legislative champions. In attendance were State Fire Marshal, John Rudd, Vocational Rehabilitation Director, Elisha Jenkins, Christina Feil, Delaware Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DODHH), Representative Frank Burns, Representative Ed Osienski, and numerous members of the local hearing loss community.

“This program represents an important step towards ensuring access to critical life safety equipment for all Delawareans, and we hope it will also ease the fire safety concerns of our deaf and hard of hearing communities. We thank the members of the General Assembly for their support of this vital program”, said State Fire Marshal Rudd. State experts and lawmakers stood alongside advocates to emphasize how the Fire & CO Alert Device Program closes a dangerous gap in emergency preparedness for individuals who are Deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, DeafBlind, or blind with hearing loss.

Delaware residents seeking more information, or to apply for the program, are encouraged to visit our official program page, https://statefiremarshal.delaware.gov/fire-and-carbon-monoxide-alert-device-program-hb53/

09/28/2026

The Office of the Delaware State Fire Marshal has concluded that a fire in Camden this afternoon was accidental.

On September 28, 2026, at 12:15 PM, the Camden Wyoming Fire Company was alerted to a residential fire alarm in the unit block of Vining Run, Camden. While on the phone with dispatchers, the resident informed them that there was smoke coming from the basement. The physically impaired resident was able to escape the home uninjured. Additional mutual aid companies were added to the alarm. When fire fighters arrived at the residence, they observed smoke coming from the residence and were able to find a fire in the basement.

Investigators with the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene and were able to determine that the fire originated in a basement appliance. Fire damage was limited to the appliance with an estimated $5000 in damages.

09/25/2026

Congratulations to Executive Secretary Stephanie Goodyear on 30 years of State service!

Along with assignments from the State Fire Marshal, she also handles the agency’s payroll, human resources, new employee on-boarding, retirement processing, etc.

Congratulations Stephanie!

09/24/2026

We Remember. Never Forgotten. 🚒❤🇺🇸

09/11/2026

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks — a day that forever changed our nation.

On this solemn milestone, we honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the countless families forever impacted, and the heroic first responders who ran toward danger with unwavering courage. Firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS professionals, and everyday citizens showed the world the true meaning of bravery and compassion.

We also remember the men and women who have continued to serve in the years since, protecting our communities and defending our country. Their dedication ensures that the spirit of unity we felt in the days following 9/11 continues to live on.

As we reflect today, we encourage everyone to take a moment to pause, remember, and reaffirm our commitment to service, resilience, and community.

We will never forget.

09/03/2026

The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office has investigated two fires in the past two days caused by storms.

The first fire occurred on September 1, 2026 at 10:00 PM in the 1500 block of North Little Creek Road, Dover. The Dover Fire Department along with mutual aid fire companies responded to the residence. Upon arrival, crews encountered smoke inside the residence. Fire crews were able to locate and extinguish a fire in the basement of the occupied home. Investigators responded to the scene and were able to determine that the fire was caused by a lightning strike. Fire damage to the home was minor and there were no injuries reported.

The second fire occurred on September 2, 2026 just before 3:30 PM in the 100 block of Case Ridge Road, Dover. The Dover Fire Department along with mutual aid fire companies responded to the scene to find heavy smoke coming from the roof of a single-family residence. Investigators responded to the scene and determined that lightning struck the residence causing a fire to start in the attic space. The home received heavy fire damage estimated at $750,000. No injuries were reported.

08/31/2026

On August 16-20, 2026, State fire Marshal John Rudd joined other State Fire Marshals from across the nation at the National Association of State Fire Marshals 36th annual symposium in Garden Grove, California. Topics included wildland urban-interface, battery energy storage systems, discussions on artificial intelligence usage, and carbon monoxide safety and awareness training.

08/11/2026

Going to college is an exciting time for students and their parents. Living in a new “home away from home” not only gives young adults more freedom to make their own choices, but it also provides them an increased level of personal responsibility while at school. When it comes to on- and off-campus housing, it’s important for students and parents to keep fire safety top of mind.

The NFPA and The Center for Campus Fire Safety (CCFS) work together to help raise awareness about the dangers of fires among college-aged students who live in on- and off- campus college housing. The campaign encourages students to know the risks including unattended cooking, candles, and the disabling of smoke alarms in rooms, and the preventative actions that can save their lives. Get more information and resources from https://www.myccfs.org/share

08/10/2026

Deputy Fire Marshal I
Opening Date 8/8/2026 12:00:00 AM
Closing Date 8/14/2026 11:59:00 PM
Location: 2307 MacArthur Road, New Castle, Delaware, 19720

Fire Protection Specialist I