Caroll H. Spriggs II has been appointed Maryland State Fire Marshal, becoming the first African American to hold the position in the Maryland Department of State Police’s 132-year history.
Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Michael A. Jackson announced the appointment Saturday. Spriggs, 53, will serve a six-year term and lead the Office of the State Fire Marshal, which Maryland State Police describes as the nation’s oldest state fire marshal’s office.
Spriggs most recently served as a Deputy Fire Chief with the Prince George’s County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. His career also includes serving as Deputy Fire Chief for the City of Annapolis and as a Task Force Officer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
In 2019, Spriggs was elected to the National Bomb Squad Commanders Advisory Board and was named the board’s secretary in 2020. He has also served with the Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department for 38 years.
“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.”
The search for a new State Fire Marshal began in May, when the position was advertised. Candidate resumes were reviewed by the State Fire Prevention Commission, which forwarded the top candidates to Jackson for the final selection process.
“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.
Chief Deputy Jason Mowbray has served as Acting State Fire Marshal since December 2023. Following the transition, Mowbray will join the agency’s senior management team.
As State Fire Marshal, Spriggs will oversee 85 employees, including more than 42 deputy state fire marshals. The office is responsible for statewide fire, arson and explosive investigations, enforcement of the State Fire Prevention Code, coordination of fire prevention efforts and collection of fire incident data.
