fire marshal

American  

noun

1. an official heading a bureau for the prevention or investigation of fires.

2. a person who has charge of the fire-prevention equipment and personnel of an industrial plant.

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fire marshal British  

noun

1. a public official responsible for investigating the causes of fires, enforcing fire prevention laws, etc

2. the head of a fire prevention organization

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Etymology

Origin of fire marshal

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Attendees had to be turned away from one breakfast meeting with top military brass because of legal limits enforced by a fire marshal.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

A 2023 state law directed the state fire marshal to study the state’s single-stair rules.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 23, 2025

Gonzales County, an agriculture-rich area of 20,000 people along the Guadalupe River, is among the rural communities struggling to obtain funding, said emergency management director Jimmy Harless, who is also the county’s fire marshal.

From Salon • Jul. 22, 2025

A local fire marshal, who responded to a school in Connecticut that was filled with smoke from a damaged Chromebook, told NBC, the batteries in the computers produce a toxic smoke when they catch fire.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2025

“The fire marshal believes they have the fire under control. I spoke with the state’s attorney and, given Gabriel’s age, they don’t want to press charges just yet.”

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz