The Office of the State Fire Marshal (SFM) supports the mission of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) by focusing on fire prevention. SFM provides support through a wide variety of fire safety responsibilities including: regulating buildings in which people live, congregate, or are confined; by controlling substances and products which may, in and of themselves, or by their misuse, cause injuries, death and destruction by fire; by providing statewide direction for fire prevention within wildland areas; by regulating hazardous liquid pipelines; by reviewing regulations and building standards; and by providing training and education in fire protection methods and responsibilities.

These achievements are accomplished through several major program elements including Engineering, Education, Enforcement, and support from the State Board of Fire Services.