State Chief Deputy Fire Marshal
Kevin D. Butler was named Chief Deputy Fire Marshal in March 2026. He oversees more than 50 employees and runs the day-to-day operations of the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO).
Butler served as a Deputy State Fire Marshal for the Northern and Central Districts from April 2010 until he was appointed Chief Deputy. In that role, Butler supervised investigations into fires and explosions. He also has experience as an emergency manager, 911 coordinator, code inspector, investigator, polygraph examiner, and as an unmanned aircraft system operator. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and Jones Junior College. Butler was named a Top Cop Award recipient in 2012, 2013, and 2020.
After spending most of his life in Smith County, Butler now lives in Lauderdale County. He is married to Tandee Butler and the two are blessed with four children and eight grandchildren.
Assistant Chief Fire Marshal
Assistant Chief Michael Nichols has more than 20 years of experience in public safety, law enforcement, fire service, and emergency management. He began his career with the Brandon Fire Department in 2001 and became a certified law enforcement officer with the Brandon Police Department in 2002, serving in both capacities throughout his career.
In 2024, Nichols joined the Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office and currently serves as Assistant Chief. In this role, he provides leadership in fire prevention, regulatory enforcement, inspections, investigations, and agency operations.
He has been happily married to his wife, Tabitha Nichols, for 24 years, and together they have been blessed with three children. His faith, family, and commitment to serving others continue to guide both his personal life and his professional career.
*** NOTICE ***
AS OF JULY 1, 2024, THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI – OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL HAS ADOPTED THE
2024 ADDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE (IFC) AND THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE (IBC).
The State Fire Marshal section provides the following information and resources. Click on a link to go directly to a particular topic.
Factory-Built Homes
Licensing, forms, safety tips, contact information, and more.
Fire Code Enforcement
Duties\Statutory Authority, Application for Special State/Local Inspector, Building Plan Review Request, Mississippi Fire Prevention Code, contact information, and more.
Fire Investigations
Duties\Statutory Authority, Fire Damage Registry for Insurance Companies, Fire Information Request, Civilian Fire Casualty Report, contact information, and more.
Building Plan Review
Request to review plans for compliance with Mississippi Fire Prevention Codes.
Pyrotechnics
Instructions for obtaining a permit, permit application, and contact information.
Mississippi Electronic Protection Systems
Rules and regulations, application and forms, Approved CEU Courses, Mississippi Electronic Protection Systems Board, and contact information.
Elevator\Escalator Inspections
Licensing for elevator contractors\limited elevator contractors, elevator inspectors, and elevator mechanics\limited elevator mechanics.
Liquefied Compressed Gas
Mission, laws and regulations, forms, State Liquefied Compressed Gas Board, PERC Fund, inspectors, contact information, and more.
State Fire Marshal Mission
The mission of the State Fire Marshal’s Office is to foster, promote and develop ways and means of protecting life and property from fire and related perils through direct action and coordination with Mississippi fire and law enforcement services.
The Commissioner of Insurance is by virtue of his office the State Fire Marshal and shall appoint the State Chief Deputy Fire Marshal. The Chief Deputy Fire Marshal along with other members of his staff have the primary duties of investigating the origin of fires occurring within this State to which his attention is called by the Chief of the Fire Department or other local law enforcement authority of any county or municipality. It is the duty of the Chief Deputy Fire Marshal to investigate or have investigated any fire requested by any party in interest, whenever in his judgment, there is sufficient evidence or circumstances indicating that such fire may be of an intentional or incendiary origin, Miss. Code Ann. § 45-11-1.
The State Chief Deputy Fire Marshal is charged with the enforcement of Mississippi Fire Prevention Code, Miss. Code Ann. § 45-11-101, regarding the inspection of all buildings owned by the state or state agencies, places of public assembly and sprinkler systems of high-rise buildings. In addition, the State Chief Deputy Fire Marshal is charged with regulating Manufactured Housing, Miss. Code Ann. § 75-49-1, which requires licensing of dealers, manufacturers, and independent contracted installer/transporters. Also, the State Chief Deputy Fire Marshal serves as the State Administrative Agency (SAA) for the Department of Housing Urban Development for the State of Mississippi.
| Contact Us | |
|---|---|
| Physical Address: | Phone Numbers: |
| State Fire Marshal’s Office Mississippi Insurance Department 239 N. Lamar Street, Suite 101 Jackson, MS 39201 | Mississippi Insurance Department – 601-359-3569 State Fire Marshal’s Office – 601-359-1061 Fax – 601-359-1076 |
| Mailing Address: | Email: |
| State Fire Marshal’s Office P.O. Box 79 Jackson, MS 39205 | State Fire Marshal’s Office |
