Kansas gains new State Fire Marshal
10/27/2023

(MSC News)--The State of Kansas gains a new State Fire Marshal, with a replacement for the retiring Doug Jorgensen now appointed.

The appointment of Mark Engholm to the role by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly happened Friday, with Kelly, in a release, saying Engholm "will bring immense experience and expertise in public safety to the the Office of State Fire Marshal, adding that she is "confident that his leadership will keep more Kansans safe."

Engholm began his career in 1990 as a firefighter with roles in Geary and Osage County. He joined the Shawnee Heights Fire District in 2003, where he was awarded Firefighter of the Year in 2005 and 2007 before becoming a Squad Leader in 2008 and Division Chief in 2016.

His firefighting experience led him into other avenues of service to the state, including as part of the Kansas All Hazards Incident Management Team, as Deputy Director of the Kansas Intelligence Fusion Center, and as a trooper for the Kansas Highway Patrol. Most recently, Engholm was part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation- Joint Terrorism Task Force, having joined that team in 2014.

Engholm, in the release, says he is "humbled and honored" to be selected by Kelly as the State's 27th Fire Marshal, adding that he looks "forward to returning to fire service," an area of public safety in which he's spent more than 25-years.

Engholm will serve in an acting role until he is confirmed by the Kansas Senate. His first day as Acting State Fire Marshal will be November 13.

Jorgensen, whose retirement becomes effective December 11 after 11-years in the role of State Fire Marshal, will fill a deputy position to assist with the leadership transition until his retirement date.


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