Ind. Code ch. 22-14-2

Ind. Code ch. 22-14-2
in effect

Ind. Code § 22-14-2-2 State fire marshal; appointment; qualifications

Sec. 2. (a) The governor shall appoint a state fire marshal. The state fire marshal serves at the pleasure of the governor. (b) The state fire marshal must have: (1) a recognized interest and knowledge in the areas of fire prevention and fire protection; and (2) experience as an administrator. (c) The state fire marshal shall serve as a full-time employee of the department. As added by P.L.245-1987, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.1-2006, SEC.363; P.L.187-2021, SEC.81.

Ind. Code § 22-14-2-4 Powers of the department and the state fire marshal

Sec. 4. (a) The department may: (1) enter and inspect any property, at a reasonable hour; (2) issue and enforce administrative orders under IC 22-12-7 and apply for judicial orders under IC 22-12-7-13; (3) direct a fire department to assist the department; (4) cooperate with law enforcement officers; and (5) provide hazardous materials and counterterrorism: (A) training; (B) support; and (C) response assistance. (b) Notwithstanding any other law, changes made to this section during the 2025 regular session of the general assembly do not affect ongoing investigations initiated by the state fire marshal before July 1, 2025. As added by P.L.245-1987, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.63-2003, SEC.1; P.L.1-2006, SEC.364; P.L.187-2021, SEC.82; P.L.238-2025, SEC.67.

Ind. Code § 22-14-2-5 Public information on fire prevention; copies of fire safety rules

Note: This version of section effective until 7-1-2027. See also following version of this section, effective 7-1-2027. Sec. 5. (a) The department shall carry out a program to provide public information concerning fire prevention and maintain data and statistics concerning fires and fire prevention activities. (b) The department shall provide a copy of the fire safety rules adopted by the commission to the chief of each fire department. The department may exclude, from the rules distributed under this subsection, any text that is incorporated by reference into the rules published in the Indiana Administrative Code. As added by P.L.245-1987, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.1-2006, SEC.365; P.L.187-2021, SEC.83.

Ind. Code § 22-14-2-5 Public information on fire prevention; copies of fire safety rules

Note: This version of section effective 7-1-2027. See also preceding version of this section, effective until 7-1-2027. Sec. 5. (a) The department shall carry out a program to provide public information concerning fire prevention and maintain data and statistics concerning fires and fire prevention activities. (b) The department shall provide a copy of the fire safety rules adopted by the department to the chief of each fire department. The department may exclude, from the rules distributed under this subsection, any text that is incorporated by reference into the rules published in the Indiana Administrative Code. As added by P.L.245-1987, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.1-2006, SEC.365; P.L.187-2021, SEC.83; P.L.152-2026, SEC.399.

Ind. Code § 22-14-2-6 Training programs for fire department personnel; fire and public safety academy training system; staff and meeting facilities provided to education board

Sec. 6. (a) The department may establish the fire and public safety academy training system to create and conduct programs to train public safety personnel. (b) The department may develop programs to train: (1) fire department personnel and volunteers; (2) emergency medical services personnel; (3) telecommunicators; (4) emergency management personnel; and (5) chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives personnel. (c) The department may develop training programs in cooperation with: (1) any accredited educational institution; (2) any fire fighting association; (3) the Indiana emergency response commission established by IC 13-25-1-1; (4) the Indiana emergency medical services commission established by IC 16-31-2-1; (5) the board of firefighting personnel standards and education established by IC 22-12-3-1; or (6) any other public safety agency of the state or political subdivision of the state, or public safety organization or association. The academy or the accredited educational institution under subdivision (1) may conduct the programs. (d) The programs developed under this section must cover the areas of: (1) fire prevention; (2) enforcement of fire safety laws; (3) firefighting; (4) emergency medical services; and (5) other areas of public safety. (e) The department shall establish inspection training requirements for members of volunteer fire companies and certify individuals who meet these requirements. (f) If the department establishes a training program under subsection (a), the academy shall collaborate with public safety boards and commissions of the state to establish criteria for certification and credentialing of public safety personnel. (g) The academy may provide programs for research, professional development, and accreditation. (h) The department shall provide staff and meeting facilities to the education board to carry out section 7 of this chapter. As added by P.L.245-1987, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.1-2006, SEC.366; P.L.40-2015, SEC.4; P.L.187-2021, SEC.84.

Ind. Code § 22-14-2-7 Firefighting training and education programs; certification; fee

Sec. 7. (a) This section does not limit the powers, rights, duties, and other responsibilities of municipal or county governments or impose requirements affecting pension laws or any other laws. (b) This section does not require a member of a fire department to be certified. However, under the authority provided in subsection (c), the education board may, by rule, establish a program requiring certification of fire service personnel or nonfire service personnel. (c) The education board may establish a program to be administered by the department to: (1) certify firefighting training and education programs that meet the standards set by the education board; (2) certify fire department instructors who meet the qualifications set by the education board; (3) direct research in the field of firefighting and fire prevention and accept gifts and grants to direct this research; (4) recommend curricula for advanced training courses and seminars in fire science or fire engineering training to public and private postsecondary educational institutions; (5) certify fire service personnel and nonfire service personnel who meet the qualifications set by the education board; (6) require fire service personnel certified at any level to fulfill continuing education requirements in order to maintain certification; or (7) contract or cooperate with any person and adopt rules under IC 4-22-2, and as authorized under IC 36-8-10.5-7, to carry out its responsibilities under this section. (d) The education board may impose a reasonable fee for the issuance of a certification described in subsection (c). The department shall deposit the fee in the fire and building services fund established by IC 22-12-6-1. (e) The education board is the ultimate authority for orders issued by the department under this section. As added by P.L.245-1987, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.170-1996, SEC.1; P.L.30-2001, SEC.1; P.L.22-2005, SEC.41; P.L.101-2006, SEC.35; P.L.2-2007, SEC.308; P.L.78-2013, SEC.9; P.L.249-2019, SEC.30; P.L.93-2024, SEC.165; P.L.238-2025, SEC.68.

Ind. Code § 22-14-2-7.5 Vacancies; orders

Sec. 7.5. (a) The department may grant a variance to a rule the education board has adopted. (b) The education board is the ultimate authority for orders issued under this section. As added by P.L.249-2019, SEC.31.

Ind. Code § 22-14-2-8 Investigations; powers; subpoenas; discovery orders; per diem and mileage allowance

Sec. 8. (a) Regardless of the extent of the investigation conducted by a fire department under IC 36-8-17-7, the state fire marshal or a department fire investigator may conduct an investigation into the causes and circumstances surrounding any fire or explosion. (b) To carry out this section, the state fire marshal or a department fire investigator may: (1) exercise its powers under section 4 of this chapter and subsection (e); (2) assist a prosecuting attorney with any criminal investigation; (3) subpoena witnesses and order the production of books, documents, and other evidence; (4) give oaths and affirmations; (5) take depositions and conduct hearings; (6) separate witnesses and otherwise regulate the course of proceedings; and (7) obtain and secure evidence. (c) Subpoenas, discovery orders, and protective orders issued under this section shall be enforced under IC 4-21.5-6-2. (d) A person who is summoned and testifies under this section is entitled to receive a minimum salary per diem and a mileage allowance from the fire and building services fund. The budget agency shall set the amount of the per diem and mileage allowance. (e) The state fire marshal and department fire investigators are law enforcement officers while discharging their duties as employees of the department. (f) The executive director of the department is a law enforcement officer while discharging the duties of the executive director. As added by P.L.245-1987, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.5-1988, SEC.120; P.L.38-1990, SEC.5; P.L.13-1994, SEC.10; P.L.167-1997, SEC.5; P.L.30-1998, SEC.2; P.L.1-2006, SEC.367; P.L.187-2021, SEC.85; P.L.238-2025, SEC.69.

Ind. Code § 22-14-2-9 Plans and specifications for design release; review and approval

Sec. 9. The department shall review and may approve plans and specifications presented to the department for a design release under IC 22-15-3 for compliance with the fire safety laws. As added by P.L.245-1987, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.1-2006, SEC.368; P.L.187-2021, SEC.86.

Ind. Code § 22-14-2-10 Fire safety enforcement program and complaint investigation program

Sec. 10. (a) The department shall carry out a program to: (1) enforce all fire safety laws and related variances and other orders; and (2) protect the public from fire hazards. (b) The department shall carry out a program to investigate complaints. As added by P.L.245-1987, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.1-2006, SEC.369; P.L.187-2021, SEC.87.

Ind. Code § 22-14-2-11 Inspection programs

Sec. 11. The department shall carry out a program to periodically inspect structures and other property. Such inspections shall be conducted at a frequency specified by the department. The department may exclude a class of buildings or other property from inspection under this section, if the department determines: (1) that the building or property is subject to inspection for compliance with statewide fire or building safety laws by another entity; or (2) that the public interest will be served without inspection. As added by P.L.245-1987, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.1-2006, SEC.370; P.L.187-2021, SEC.88; P.L.28-2026, SEC.36.

Ind. Code § 22-14-2-12 Fire investigator retirement

Sec. 12. Whenever a department fire investigator retires after at least twenty (20) years of service, the department shall, in recognition of the investigator's service to the department, do the following: (1) Allow the investigator to retain the service weapon issued to the investigator by the department. (2) Issue the investigator a badge that indicates the investigator is a retired department fire investigator. (3) Issue the investigator an identification card that contains the following information: (A) The name of the department. (B) The name of the investigator. (C) The investigator's position title before the investigator's retirement. (D) A statement that the investigator is retired. (E) A statement that the investigator is authorized to retain the service weapon issued to the investigator by the department. As added by P.L.140-2005, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.1-2006, SEC.371; P.L.187-2021, SEC.89.

Ind. Code § 22-14-2-13 Age requirements for certification

Sec. 13. (a) An individual who is at least sixteen (16) years of age may enroll in and attend a training program for certification as: (1) a Firefighter I; (2) a Firefighter II; or (3) an emergency medical technician. (b) This section does not affect the minimum age requirements for: (1) employment as a firefighter or emergency medical technician; or (2) certification by a national certification agency. As added by P.L.162-2024, SEC.33.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/22Fetched: 10/17/2026