Resources for Businesses and Public Venues
- Request a Fire Inspection
- Apply for a Hazardous Materials Permit
- Submit Fire Watch Documentation
- Review Pre-Inspection Checklists
- Commercial Knox Box Information
- Crowd Manager Safety Seminar
Resources for Residents
- Report Tall Grass
- Recreational Fire Guidelines and Burn Permits
- Youth Fire Prevention and Intervention Program
- Residential Knox Box Information
- Permitted Fireworks Displays
Request a Fire Report
- Request a Fire Incident Summary Report (public record of HCDFRS response)
- Request a Fire Investigation Report (origin/cause of a fire when determined)
Fire Code Violations and Life Safety Concerns
- For urgent life safety issues (blocked exits, overcrowding, etc.), call 410-313-2200.
- For non-urgent concerns, submit a Fire Code Violation Complaint.
About the Office of the Fire Marshal
The Office of the Fire Marshal has two divisions: code enforcement and fire investigation. The Code Enforcement Division is responsible for conducting preventive inspections of all places allowed under the Howard County Fire Prevention Code and the Maryland State Fire Prevention Code.
The Fire Investigation Division is responsible for conducting investigations into the origin and cause of all fires, explosions, potentially explosive devices, hazardous materials releases, and other hazardous conditions. Fire investigators work in partnership with Howard County Police Department detectives to investigate fires that are suspicious or the result of a criminal act.