Maryland Appoints First African American State Fire Marshal

Maryland has a new State Fire Marshal, Caroll H. Spriggs II, who will serve a six-year term leading the Office of the State Fire Marshal, an agency operating under the Maryland Department of State Police. This appointment marks a historic milestone, as Spriggs is the first African American to hold this position in the 132-year history of the department, which oversees the nation’s oldest state fire marshal’s office. His responsibilities will include managing the agency’s mission to protect lives and property through fire prevention, investigation, code enforcement, and public safety education.

Spriggs, 53, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Prior to this appointment, he served as Deputy Fire Chief for the Prince George’s County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department and also held the position of Deputy Fire Chief for the City of Annapolis. His background also includes service as a Task Force Officer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Spriggs has also been actively involved in national safety initiatives, having been elected to the National Bomb Squad Commanders Advisory Board in 2019 and serving as its secretary in 2020. Furthermore, he dedicated 38 years of service to the Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department.

The selection process for the new State Fire Marshal commenced in May 2026, with the position being advertised and candidate resumes reviewed by the State Fire Prevention Commission. The commission then forwarded a list of top candidates to Colonel Michael A. Jackson, Superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police, who made the final decision. Colonel Jackson expressed confidence in Spriggs’s extensive experience in fire investigation and explosives, highlighting his commitment to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office. He also acknowledged the leadership of Chief Deputy Jason Mowbray, who has been serving as Acting State Fire Marshal since December 2023 and will transition to a senior management team role after ensuring a seamless handover. The Office of the State Fire Marshal employs 85 individuals, including over 42 deputy state fire marshals, and is responsible for statewide fire, arson, and explosive investigations, enforcing the State Fire Prevention Code, coordinating fire prevention efforts, and collecting fire incident data.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Department of State Police.

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