Deputy Director of Emergency Management and 
Communications

Fire Marshal 
Jason Osika
josika@dover.de.us

Deputy Fire Marshal  
Matthew Brown
mbrown@dover.de.us

Deputy Fire Marshal  
Sean Christiansen
schristiansen@dover.de.us

Deputy Fire Marshal  
Phillip Lewis
plewis@dover.de.us

Office Hours:  
Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:30pm (City Hall opens at 8:30am, closes at 5:00pm, and is Closed on  City Holiday Schedule)

Contact Numbers:  
 (302) 736-4457   Office
 (302) 736-4217   Fax
After hours, please contact the Dover Fire Department Dispatch Center at  302-736-7168  
cityofdoverfmo@dover.de.us

Mailing Address:  
City of Dover
Attn: Fire Marshal's Office
15 Loockerman Plaza
Dover, DE  19901

Overview:

The City of Dover Fire Marshal’s Office operates under the Emergency Management and Communications Department. While the Fire Marshal’s Office works closely with the
Dover Fire Department, the Fire Department is a separate entity staffed entirely by dedicated volunteers. For additional information, please visit their website.

The Fire Marshal’s Office conducts annual fire and life safety inspections to ensure compliance with City ordinances, Delaware State Fire Prevention Regulations,
and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. In addition, the office investigates fire-related complaints and has the authority to issue summonses for any violations identified.

The City of Dover Fire Marshal’s Office is also responsible for conducting origin and cause investigations for fires occurring within city limits.

Beyond enforcement and investigations, the Fire Marshal’s Office performs plan reviews for new construction and building modifications.

This includes reviewing fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, and commercial kitchen hood and suppression systems to ensure they meet safety requirements.

Links: 

Annual Fire and Life Safety Inspection Form:  https://cityofdover.formstack.com/forms/annual_fire_and_life_safety_inspection

Business License Application    

Camper Parking Permit  

City of Dover Code of Ordinances:   https://www.municode.com/library/de/dover/codes/code_of_ordinances   (Chapter 46 is Fire Prevention and Protection)

Delaware State Fire Prevention Regulations:   http://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title1/700/index.shtml  

Dover Fire Department:   http://www.doverfire.org/  

Electrical Inspection Agencies: https://statefiremarshal.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/110/2024/04/Licensed_Elec_Inspection_Agencies2.pdf

Fire Permit (NEW): https://cityofdover.formstack.com/forms/city_of_dover_fire_prevention_permit

Fire Protection System Authorization for Disconnection: https://cityofdover.formstack.com/forms/fire_protection_disconnection_request 

Fireworks & Pyrotechnics Display Permit
https://cityofdover.formstack.com/forms/city_of_dover_fire_marshal_application_for_public_fireworks_pyrotechnicsdisplay_permit      

Food Truck Vendors - Authorized by Fire Marshal's Office

Knox Box Request Form: https://www.cityofdover.gov/planning-and-inspections-forms

Licensed Fire Protection Companies: https://statefiremarshal.delaware.gov/technical-services/licensed-public-fire-protection-companies-testing-applications/

Public Occupancy  

Respondent Form: https://cityofdover.formstack.com/forms/city_of_dover_fire_marshal_respondant_information

Special Event Permit:  Special Event Permit updated May 23, 2023

State of Delaware Fire Marshal's Office:     http://www.statefiremarshal.delaware.gov/ 

Applicable Codes:  
City of Dover Code of Ordinances
September 2021 Delaware State Fire Prevention Regulations
2024 NFPA 1 Fire Code
2024 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code
2025 NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
2025 NFPA 13 Installation of Sprinkler Systems
2023 NFPA 25 Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems

2024 NFPA 96 Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations
See Chapter 7 of the Delaware State Fire Prevention Regulations for a full list of adopted Codes and Standards
2009 International Building Code

Past City of Dover Fire Marshals

Timothy Mullaney Jr. 5/16/14-4/1/16

David J. Truax 6/10/96-5/16/14

John W. Raughley 4/12/93-6/10/96

James L. Melvin 11/14/88-4/12/93

Jack T. Roe 9/1/59-11/14/88