May 2023
“We are proud to celebrate 100 years of service to the people who live, work, and play in California. The Office of the State Fire Marshal is honored to continue its vital role in protecting our communities for centuries to come.” Chief Daniel Berlant, Acting State Fire Marshal
This is the first edition of the new CAL FIRE - Office of the State Fire Marshal Newsletter. Each edition will provide news and insight into the department - increasing communication with the public, our stakeholders, and our employees.
100 Years of History at the Office of the State Fire Marshal

The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has a long and storied history and a legacy of making California a safer place to work, live, and recreate. 100 years ago, OSFM was created when then California Gov. Richardson signed AB 409. It stated that the Fire Marshal should “safeguard life and property and see that all laws and ordinances relating to fires and fire protection are enforced...” OSFM was consolidated with CAL FIRE around 1995/96. Before then, it was one the smallest independent departments in State Government.

To learn more about OSFM’s history, click below.
Behind the Centennial Badge
As you can see, OSFM has a diverse history and has a wide array of responsibilities. To represent this history and responsibility, the OSFM Centennial logo denotes one of the six OSFM program divisions: Homes for Community Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation, a pipeline valve for Pipeline Safety and CUPA, flames for State Fire Training, a book for Code Development and Analysis, a fire sprinkler head for Fire and Life Safety, and a fire extinguisher for Fire Engineering and Investigations. The Golden Gate Bridge was chosen as the centerpiece as an iconic California landmark that links the past with the future.
Six previous State Fire Marshals (SFM) were in attendance at the Centennial Celebration. From left to right: Michael Richwine 2020-2022, Current Acting SFM, Daniel Berlant 2023-Present, Philip Favro 1975-1983, Ronny J. Coleman 1990-1999, Ruben Grijalva 2004-2007, Dennis Mathisen 2017-2018, and James McMullen 1985-1990.
Past and Present Staff, Partners, and State Fire Marshals Gather to Celebrate the Office of the State Fire Marshal Centennial

To mark the 100-year anniversary of California’s State legislature passing “An Act to create the Office of the State Fire Marshal”, (Assembly Bill No. 409), OSFM staff and partners past and present, as well as previous serving State Fire Marshals gathered in Sacramento. The Centennial Celebration focused on a century of accomplishments, the current state of OSFM, and the continued role the Office plays in protecting those who live, work, and play in California. 

Learn more about the event, view photos from the Centennial Celebration, and view the archived livestream below.