First African American Appointed Maryland State Fire Marshal
Caroll H. Spriggs II, a longtime firefighter and former deputy fire chief in Prince George’s County and Annapolis, has been appointed Maryland’s state fire marshal, becoming the first African American to hold the position in the agency’s 132-year history.
Spriggs, 53, was appointed Wednesday to a six-year term by Maryland State Police Superintendent Michael A. Jackson. Spriggs will lead the Office of the State Fire Marshal, which oversees fire and arson investigations, explosives investigations, fire-code enforcement and fire-prevention efforts across Maryland.
He most recently served as a deputy fire chief with the Prince George’s County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. He previously was a deputy fire chief for the city of Annapolis and a task force officer with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
He also spent 38 years with the Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department in Calvert County. In 2019, he was elected to the National Bomb Squad Commanders Advisory Board and was named its secretary in 2020.
“With a career rooted in service and extensive experience in fire investigation and explosives, Spriggs brings a wealth of knowledge and a commitment to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office,” Jackson said in a statement.
The selection process began in May, when the position was advertised. The State Fire Prevention Commission reviewed candidates’ resumes and forwarded its top candidates to Jackson, who made the final selection.
“I would like to thank Colonel Jackson for this tremendous opportunity,” Spriggs said. “I look forward to working with all of the partners of the MDSP to continue making Maryland safe.”
Spriggs succeeds Chief Deputy Jason Mowbray, who has served as acting state fire marshal since December 2023. Mowbray will move to the Maryland State Police senior management team after helping with the transition, the department said.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal has 85 employees, including more than 42 deputy state fire marshals, according to the department. It also collects statewide fire incident data and coordinates fire-prevention efforts.
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