Arkansas State Fire Marshal Dennis Free will retire July 1, ending a 45-year career in fire protection and prevention in the state, the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management said Friday.
Free has spent 26 years working in fire marshal offices, including 11 years with the Little Rock Fire Marshal’s Office and 15 years with the Arkansas State Fire Marshal’s Office. He has served as Arkansas State Fire Marshal for the past three years, during which he led statewide fire safety efforts and provided administrative oversight for the office.
During his tenure as state fire marshal, Free served on the Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board, the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board and the Environmental Quality Trust Fund under the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment.
Free described his career as focused on protecting communities, supporting firefighters and improving public safety across Arkansas. He also expressed appreciation for colleagues, partner agencies and residents who supported his work.
ADEM officials described Free as a steady and trusted leader whose work strengthened fire protection across the state.
Following his retirement, State Fire Marshal Inspector John Hogue will serve as acting state fire marshal while the agency conducts a statewide search for a permanent replacement.
