What We do at the State Fire Marshal Division
The State Fire Marshal (SFM) division supports local fire and law enforcement, other agencies and the general public with:
- Fire/arson investigation training.
- Fire investigations and fire death investigations.
- Materials, training and assistance to implement fire safety education programs.
- Fire inspections.
- Development and adoption of state fire code.
Our Leadership
Daniel Krier, state fire marshal
Daniel Krier has served as the state fire marshal and director of the Office of Pipeline Safety since September 2023. Krier began his 
career in public service in 2009 serving most recently as the fire marshal for the City of Brooklyn Park. During his time there, Krier implemented a robust fire inspection program, enhanced the fire investigation program, and expanded the department’s community outreach and educational activities. Before becoming state fire marshal, he was the vice president of the Fire Marshals Association of Minnesota.
Krier’s work helped reduce the number of fires in Brooklyn Park 33 percent. Fire deaths decreased from one every year to one every 2.5 years during his tenure.
Krier started in the fire service as a paid-on-call firefighter for North St. Paul Fire in 2014 and was later promoted to full-time fire inspector in August 2015. Prior to working full-time in the fire service, Krier spent six years at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Public Health Laboratory as an environmental analyst and a research scientist. His work at MDH included chemical threat preparedness and response, training of state chemical assessment teams, and research on firefighter exposure to cyanide in fire smoke.
Krier has a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of North Dakota and Master of Science in environmental health from the University of Minnesota.
Amanda Swenson, chief deputy state fire marshal (prevention and code)
Amanda Swenson has served as a chief deputy state fire marshal since June of 2020. 
Swenson joined the State Fire Marshal Division in 2014 as a fire and life safety educator. In 2018, she became the supervisor of the State Services and Support Team, which includes public education, fire service specialists, state response teams and fleet.
Swenson has been a firefighter on the Braham Fire Department since 2010.
Before she became a firefighter, Swenson earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin.
After earning her degree, she worked in the admissions office at Northland for seven years before returning to Minnesota. She then started working in 4-H youth development with the University of Minnesota Extension program in Mille Lacs and Isanti Counties. During this time, she also earned a Master of Education degree from the University of Minnesota.
Tate Mills, chief deputy state fire marshal (operations)
Tate Mills has served as the chief deputy state fire marshal of operations since August of 2024.
Mills started with the State Fire Marshal division in 2016 as a fire service specialist, serving as a liaison to fire departments, fire service stakeholder groups and local governments. He helped fire departments throughout the state with everything from administrative issues to emergency response support. He also managed our drone program and previously managed the service planning grant program.
Mills began his fire service career in 1997 with the Albertville Fire Department. He worked his way through the ranks to the position of assistant fire chief (2005-2006) and in 2007 was named fire chief. During his eight years as fire chief, he helped implement the city's first fire inspection program, developed a program to recruit and retain firefighters, and partnered with neighboring cities to implement a joint fire board. Mills also helped lead the department through the transition to its first full-time career fire chief. After that transition, he remained on the department for six years as assistant fire chief, leading day-to-day operations and fire investigations, retiring from the department in 2021.
Before his work with the State Fire Marshal division, Mills worked 15 years for a defense contractor and was also a nine-year member of the Minnesota Army National Guard's 34th Infantry Division.
Our History
The position of state fire Marshal was created by the Minnesota State Legislature in 1905. In 1913, the Fire Marshal Department was created and in 1970, the State Fire Marshal Division became part of the newly created Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Minnesota has had a state fire code, enforced by the State Fire Marshal, since 1975. For the first 28 years, the state fire code was known as the Minnesota Uniform Fire Code. Since 2003, it has been called the Minnesota State Fire Code.
Our Mission
SFMD strengthens Minnesota fire-safe environments by providing statewide leadership and guidance in support of fire and life safety policy, enforcement, prevention, and education.
Our Vision
SFMD exists so that the fire service is prepared, communities are supported, and Minnesotans are safer from fire.
Core Operating Principles
- SFMD is trusted: We hold true to the public's faith in us to be knowledgeable, consistent, and dependable.
- SFMD is accessible: Those that depend on our resources and services can expect to receive responsive, accurate, and practical support.
- SFMD is forward-thinking: Different situations may require different types of support, but our efforts will always prioritize collaboration and put the safety of Minnesotans ahead of traditions or habits that are no longer useful.
