Maryland Makes History With Its New State Fire Marshal

PIKESVILLE, MD — A longtime Maryland fire official has been appointed state fire marshal, becoming the first Black person to hold the position in the Maryland Department of State Police's 132-year history.

Caroll H. Spriggs II, 53, was appointed to a six-year term and will oversee the Office of the State Fire Marshal, which is part of the state police.

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Spriggs most recently served as a deputy fire chief with the Prince George's County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. He previously served as a deputy fire chief in Annapolis and as a task force officer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

He also spent 38 years with the Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department and was elected to the National Bomb Squad Commanders Advisory Board in 2019, becoming its secretary the following year.

"I would like to thank Colonel Jackson for this tremendous opportunity," Spriggs said. "I look forward to working with all of the partners of the MDSP to continue making Maryland safe."

The search for a new state fire marshal began in May. The State Fire Prevention Commission reviewed candidates and forwarded its top selections to Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. Michael A. Jackson, who made the final selection.

Spriggs succeeds Chief Deputy Jason Mowbray, who has served as acting state fire marshal since December 2023. Mowbray will join the agency's senior management team following the transition.

As state fire marshal, Spriggs will oversee 85 employees, including more than 42 deputy state fire marshals. The office handles fire, arson and explosives investigations statewide, enforces Maryland's fire prevention code and coordinates fire prevention and public safety efforts.