News

October marks Fire Prevention Month, with this year’s NFPA theme “Charge into Fire Safety,” focusing on lithium-ion battery hazards, safe charging, and recycling. World Mental Health Day on October 10 reminds us that firefighters face heightened risks, with more than half reporting mental health injuries. State Building and Fire Code updates are moving forward, with adoption of the 2024 International Fire Code targeted for July 1, 2026. As the month closes, we encourage communities to stay safe and enjoy a quiet Halloween.

Fall is the perfect season for fire chiefs to engage kids with fun, memorable lessons on fire safety. Simple activities like mini fire drills, coloring sheets, Halloween safety tips, equipment demonstrations, and storytime events make learning both exciting and effective. These easy-to-implement ideas help children practice safe habits while building positive connections with their local fire department. Even small outreach efforts can make a lasting impact—one child at a time.

As colder weather sets in, it’s important to remind people who smoke to do so responsibly and fully extinguish smoking materials. In North Dakota, cigarette-related fires and financial losses have remained steady over the past decade, with spikes in 2020 and 2021. The International Fire Code prohibits smoking in hazardous areas, requires visible “No Smoking” signage, and mandates proper ashtrays in permitted areas. With dry conditions and drought increasing fire risks, careless disposal of cigarettes or matches can easily ignite serious fires.

This month we’re settling into our new main office at 2792 East Broadway Avenue in Bismarck, thanks to a great partnership with the North Dakota Firefighter’s Association. Our team also attended the National Association of State Fire Marshals Symposium in Biloxi, where the theme “All hours, all hazards: Disaster never sleeps” underscored the importance of a team approach to disaster response. In August, I testified before the Emergency Response Services Interim Committee on ways state agencies can better support fire departments during major incidents, with more hearings planned this fall. Finally, our fire safety focus is appliance fires—our investigators are using new portable X-ray technology to examine appliances without damaging them, giving us valuable insights into causes and prevention.

Over the last five years, North Dakota has seen a steady stream of fires caused by everyday appliances—more than 60 from clothes dryers alone, plus spikes from heat lamps and small kitchen devices like air fryers. Most of these fires are preventable with simple habits: clean dryer lint traps and vents, secure or replace risky heat lamps with safer alternatives, and unplug small appliances when not in use. As Fire Marshal Doug Nelson notes, “Most appliance fires don’t start with bad luck—they start with everyday habits.”

As summer winds down, several key initiatives are underway in the fire service. The Fire Department Certificate of Existence program is now open, with all departments required to submit by October 31. We're also expanding fire investigation training to meet new certification standards, preparing for the NASFM Annual Symposium in Mississippi, welcoming a new deputy fire marshal in Devils Lake, and tracking three upcoming legislative studies—starting with a focus on volunteer recruitment and retention on August 20.

As students prepare to head back to college, it’s important to remember that campus fire safety goes far beyond dorm rooms—most fatal fires occur in off-campus housing, where protections like smoke alarms or sprinklers may be lacking. Fire departments can play a key role by sharing safety tips, hosting events, and staying connected with students and parents—even in areas without a campus. Encouraging fire-safe habits now can help protect young adults for years to come.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is preparing for the statewide transition from NFIRS to the new National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) in 2025, with a mass transition planned for November. Departments must continue reporting in NFIRS until notified and should begin planning now to extract and store historical data, as NFIRS access will end January 31, 2026.

Ensuring fire safety in North Dakota’s apartments and rental units is essential under the 2021 International Fire Code (IFC). Key provisions include restrictions on open-flame devices and grills, requirements for clear exits, visible signage, functional emergency lighting, accessible fire extinguishers, and working carbon monoxide alarms. Fire professionals play a critical role in verifying compliance during inspections and educating property managers and tenants to help prevent hazards and ensure safe evacuations.

The North Dakota State Fire Marshal’s Office is urging long-term care providers and families to prioritize oxygen safety after a tragic fire at a Massachusetts assisted living facility claimed 10 lives. Investigators say the use of home oxygen contributed to the fire’s intensity.

State Fire Marshal Doug Nelson emphasizes that while oxygen doesn’t burn, it can fuel fires dangerously fast. Facilities and families are encouraged to review precautions, including installing Thermal Fuse Cutoffs (TFOs)—small devices that shut off oxygen flow if tubing ignites.