Governor Kelly Appoints Mark Engholm to State Fire Marshal
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today the appointment of Mark Engholm as State Fire Marshal. This appointment comes as Doug Jorgensen, the current marshal, is set to retire effective December 11.
“Throughout his 11 years as State Fire Marshal, Doug Jorgensen has worked tirelessly to protect Kansans and property from fires and to support communities in times of loss. I thank him for his service,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I am also pleased to welcome Mark Engholm, who will bring immense experience and expertise in public safety to the Office of State Fire Marshal. I am confident his leadership will keep more Kansans safe.”
Engholm began his career in 1990 as a firefighter with roles in Geary and Osage County. He joined the Shawnee Heights Fire District in 2003, where he was awarded Firefighter of the Year in 2005 and 2007 before becoming a Squad Leader in 2008 and Division Chief in 2016.
His firefighting experience led him into other avenues of service to the state, including as part of the Kansas All Hazards Incident Management Team, as Deputy Director of the Kansas Intelligence Fusion Center, and as a trooper for the Kansas Highway Patrol. Most recently, Engholm was part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, having joined that team in 2014.
“I am humbled and honored to be selected by Governor Kelly as the 27th Fire Marshal for the State of Kansas,” Mark Engholm, State Fire Marshal appointee, said. “I look forward to returning to fire service, an area of public safety that I’ve spent more than 25 years. In doing so, I will work with the fire service agencies across Kansas as they face increasing challenges in recruiting, equipping, training, and retaining firefighters, especially in our rural communities.”
Engholm will serve in an acting role until he is confirmed by the Kansas Senate. His first day as Acting State Fire Marshal will be November 13, wherein Jorgensen will fill a deputy position to assist with the leadership transition until his retirement in December.