Dexter Hodges Promoted to Deputy Chief State Fire Marshal

State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci promoted Deputy State Fire Marshal Dexter Hodges to Deputy Chief State Fire Marshal. Deputy Chief Hodges was promoted today by State Fire Geraci during a private, physically distanced ceremony at the Office of the State Fire Marshal headquarters in Pikesville. “Deputy Chief Hodges is a talented and dedicated individual who has earned not only my respect but those of his peers and fellow employees. He is a welcomed addition to this Department’s management and leadership team,” said Geraci

Before joining the OSFM, Deputy Chief Hodges was previously employed with Montgomery County Fire & Rescue for nine years as a career firefighter. During his employment with OSFM, Hodges has served as Deputy State Fire Marshal in the Southern and Upper Regional Offices, investigating hundreds of incidents.

In 2013, Deputy Chief Hodges was assigned to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) as a Task Force Officer (TFO). As a Task Force Officer, Deputy Hodges was sworn with federal arrest powers and conducted in-depth and complex fire and explosive investigations. In 2018, Hodges was awarded the International Association of Arson Investigators – Fire Investigator of the Year Award. The IAAI is an international professional association of more than 10,000 fire investigation professionals. His nomination for the award came from an Assistant Supervisory Special Agent with the ATF for his hard work and dedication on a series of complex arson cases in Baltimore and Pennsylvania. In Hodges’ nomination letter, the Assistant Supervisory Special Agent wrote, “TFO/Deputy Hodges’ dedication and long-term commitment to bring this investigation to fruition demonstrate his tenacious investigative abilities and efforts. TFO/Deputy Hodges is an outstanding and exemplary fire investigator, which is evident by his accomplishments in this investigation.”

Deputy Chief Hodges has continually placed emphasis on training, and in 2019, he was selected to become a Bomb Technician with the OSFM Bomb Squad. He attended the FBI Hazardous Device School in Huntsville, Alabama. Upon graduating, he immediately began assisting in the mitigation of suspicious packages and vehicles across the State.

Deputy Hodges volunteered to fulfill the role of Administrative Services Chief. A position that operates from the agency’s headquarters, he will take on a variety of administrative tasks, along with handling significant incidents and investigations.

When asked what his goals were for his new position, Deputy Chief Hodges said. “Our agency is made up of talented people dedicated to protecting our citizens from fire and explosion. I’m looking forward to mentoring and encouraging our Deputy State Fire Marshals, Fire Safety Inspectors, and employees to achieve their own success and accomplishments.”

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~ MD State Fire Marshal