North Dakota fire marshal outlines outreach, audits and training to boost recruitment

Dr. Matthew Clark, the newly appointed State Fire Marshal, told the Emergency Response Services Committee his office will place greater emphasis on education, regional assistance and data reporting to address recruitment and retention challenges in volunteer departments. "We're not here to just come down and be that enforcement agency, but then also not provide education to help support that," Clark said, and described plans for a regional 10% certificate-of-existence review starting in 2027 to validate training and equipment.

Clark said improving incident reporting to the federal system (NEARS/NFIRS) is important to secure federal grant funds: North Dakota currently reports incidents to the federal level from just under 17% of departments, which reduces competitiveness for grants. He also pledged a visible outreach effort (fire school booths with contact QR codes and phone numbers) so chiefs know whom to call for guidance.

Local chiefs who testified supported stronger, locally accessible training, more remote learning options, and grant assistance for matching funds. Rick Schreiber, Arnaud Guard Fire District chief, urged innovative incentives (health insurance, retirement) and local-state partnerships for sustained funding.

The committee accepted those presentations and directed staff to coordinate with the Fire Marshal's Office on how certificate-of-existence audits can dovetail with any new reporting requirements tied to a volunteer LOSAP bill.