South Bend Fire Chief Stephen Cox recently was appointed new Indiana state fire marshal by Gov. Eric Holcomb.
“Chief Cox brings great experience, leadership and vision to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security,” Holcomb said. “I know that as the state’s fire marshal he will enhance public safety in the state of Indiana and continue to build partnerships with first responders and all Hoosiers.”
Cox has served with the South Bend Fire Department for 26 years, with 12 years in executive leadership. With the South Bend Fire Department, he served as a paramedic, firefighter, EMS instructor, and EMS chief of the fire department, before being promoted to fire chief in 2012.
Cox begins his new role Oct. 21.
As fire chief, Cox created a fire training center which has enabled the department to build a training program to support the South Bend department as well as other departments in the state. He also collaborated with the Indiana National Guard to form a Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, an important asset for Indiana’s disaster preparedness.
Cox served in the army as a combat medic during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and has also earned numerous FEMA certifications related to the National Incident Management System.
Cox replaces Jim Greeson who retired last month after serving as state fire marshal for 11 years.
The fire marshal leads the Indiana Department of Homeland Security Division of Fire and Building Safety. The division investigates suspicious fires, promotes fire prevention and enforces fire and building safety codes in all public buildings, among other duties.
