The Fire Marshal’s Office serves as the regulatory and investigative division of the Sumter Fire Department. Its primary responsibility is to reduce the risk of fire within the community through code enforcement, inspections, investigations, education, and coordinated safety efforts. The office ensures compliance with adopted fire codes and local ordinances, working with businesses, contractors, and community partners to maintain a safe environment for residents and visitors.
The Fire Marshal oversees all fire and life-safety inspections for commercial properties, including initial occupancy inspections, annual inspections, complaint-driven inspections, and mobile food vendor evaluations. The office also reviews fire-code compliance related to hazardous materials, operational practices, and life-safety features within businesses and public facilities. When a fire occurs, the Fire Marshal conducts or coordinates origin-and-cause investigations to determine contributing factors and support prevention activities.
In addition to regulatory functions, the Fire Marshal’s Office provides public education and community risk-reduction outreach, offering programs and materials that communicate essential fire-safety practices. The office also manages permitting for certain community activities, including temporary events and tent installations that require fire-code review.
Together, these functions support the city’s broader commitment to life safety, property protection, and the consistent application of state and national fire-prevention standards. For more information regarding the various functions of the Fire Marshal's office, use the links in the sidebar to access details as well as forms and downloadable safety tips.