Stephen Cox who took over as Indiana state fire marshal in October has been named executive director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
“Steve understands the nuts and bolts mission of the (Indiana) Department of Homeland Security,” said Gov. Eric Holcomb. “He spent his first 60 days as fire marshal listening and engaging responders across the state, and because of that I’m confident he will be a strong leader for the (department) as they protect the people, property and prosperity of our state.”
Cox starts his new role immediately, the state said in a Jan. 6 statement. An interim state fire marshal will be appointed.
As state fire marshal, Cox led the division of fire and building safety under the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. The division investigates suspicious fires, promotes fire prevention and enforces fire and building safety codes in all public buildings.
Cox previously was fire chief in South Bend, a role he was promoted to in 2012. He worked for the South Bend Fire Department for 26 years and served a variety of roles including paramedic, firefighter, EMS instructor, and EMS chief of the fire department.
Cox created a fire training center in South Bend, which provided training for the South Bend fire department as well as other fire fighters from around state. Cox also collaborated with the Indiana National Guard to form a Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, a resource and part of Indiana’s disaster preparedness, the state said.
Cox served in the U.S. Army as a combat medic overseas in the 101st Airborne. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and has also earned numerous FEMA certifications related to the National Incident Management System.
