Newly Appointed CT State Fire Marshal Looks Forward to Serving

Lauri Volkert has always had a passion for fire service. She was just 16 years old when she started as a volunteer firefighter at North Coventry Volunteer Fire Department.

Volkert followed her father Bill’s footsteps as a volunteer firefighter and now has worked her way up to one of the most prominent fire service positions in the state, becoming the state fire marshal for Connecticut beginning on Dec. 2.

Volkert, who grew up in Coventry, said she fell in love with firefighting at a young age. She attended the University of New Haven and earned a degree in fire services administration. She did an internship in Windsor, was later hired as a fire inspector and was promoted to Windsor fire marshal in 2023. In all, she served just shy of 16 years in Windsor.

“I’m looking forward to being able to use what I learned here in Windsor about building strategic partnerships and expanding that across the state,” Volkert said. “I want to be a support to local fire marshals and come up with more tools in the toolbox to help them be even more effective.”

Among her duties in Windsor were construction inspections and building inspections. She was also the fire prevention lead and has run the social media accounts in the office.

“Lauri has been a great ambassador for not only fire prevention but fire service in general,” said Windsor Town Manager Peter Souza. “It’s fantastic she’s able to move up to this level and have more influence on a statewide basis.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Lauri to continue her impactful work in the area of fire prevention and community risk reduction on a statewide basis,” Souza added. “I’m grateful for all of the work that she has done for the Town of Windsor and our residents and business. She has really been a leader within the state and has been recognized nationally for her efforts. She’s a star and it’s great the state was able to keep her here in the state.”

Volkert said one of the favorite parts of her work in Windsor was making special connections with the public and using social media to get the word out about fire safety, including changing smoke detectors. She would speak to Windsor students from preschool to fifth grade annually and would speak to high school shop classes. She also did different presentations with various community groups.

“At the local level I enjoy teaching at schools and telling them to get low and go outside when they hear a smoke alarm,” Volkert said.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is responsible for enforcing codes, standards and regulations to reduce the harm associated with fires, explosions and mechanical failures. Volkert applied for the post about two months ago and found out she had gotten the job last month.

The office also works with the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, which investigates the cause and origin of fires and arson.

Volkert will be taking over for William Abbott, who is retiring in December after serving the last 11 years as the state fire marshal and 19 total years in state service.

“They are big shoes to fill,” Volkert said. “He served the state well, and I look forward to joining that great team that he created.”

Department of Administrative Services Commissioner Michelle Gilman said Volkert has developed great relationships with the fire community statewide and that will help in her new role.

“She is someone that not only can work with our fire chiefs and our fire marshals statewide, but she will also be a statewide partner with the fire service community across the state on fire code enforcement on risk reduction initiatives and also to be a voice for our office. She will be great for us on all of those issues,” Gilman said.

Volkert is also making history in her new job. She will be the first female to ever be the state fire marshal.

“I have had the privilege of working with many fabulous and fierce women in the fire service and so while I am proud to be the first, I am confident I will not be the last,” Volkert said.

“It’s really exciting to recognize Lauri as the first woman for this role,” Gilman added. “I think every time we do that, we are breaking barriers, we are breaking ceilings across our state. It’s a commitment the governor shares as well through his appointments across our state workforce. We are proud to be a part of that effort.”

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