Rich Watson Appointed Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal

On August 5, 2024, Richard Watson assumed duties as the Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal of Kansas. In this position, Watson will serve as second in command of the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office (KSFM) and have the statutory authority to act as the State Fire Marshal when necessary.

Watson brings over 30 years of experience and knowledge in fire and emergency services to KSFM. This includes his most recent position serving as the Assistant Fire Chief of Prevention at the Fort Riley Fire Department, a position he retired from in late July.

Watson joined the Fort Riley Fire Department as a Training Officer in 2011 and was later promoted to Battalion Chief, Assistant Fire Chief of Health and Safety, then Assistant Fire Chief of Prevention. Prior to joining the Fort Riley Fire Department, Watson served in the U.S. Air Force, as a Firefighter with the Kansas Air National Guard at Forbes Field in Topeka, and as a Firefighter / EMT with the Shawnee Heights Fire District in Tecumseh, Kansas.

In addition to his fire service and leadership experience, Watson has numerous international fire service accreditations, to include Fire Instructor, Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator, Fire & Life Safety Educator, Plans Examiner, Hazardous Materials Technician, Hazardous Materials Incident Commander, and Incident Safety Officer. Watson is also the only state employee to be task book qualified as a Wildland Fire Investigator by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG).

"Rich has served as an instructor for our fire investigator program in the past and is widely recognized for his expertise in wildland fire investigations." said State Fire Marshal Mark Engholm. "I am thrilled that that he has agreed to take on this important role and know that his dedication to Kansas fire and emergency services will have a positive impact on our state."

As Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal, Watson will supervise routine agency operations, oversee the Chiefs of the Prevention, Investigations, Emergency Response, and Industrial Safety Divisions, while also providing training to our staff and outside agencies. The Office of the State Fire Marshal is dedicated to protecting lives and property from the hazards of fire, explosion, and natural disaster and promotes prevention, education, and investigative activities to mitigate incidents, promote life safety, and deter crime.