HARTFORD, Conn. — A historic appointment was made on Friday, as Lauri Volkert became the first woman ever named as a Connecticut state fire marshal.
The appointment was made by Department of Administrative Services Commissioner Michelle Gilman. Volkert will begin in the position on Dec. 2 and succeed William Abbott, who is retiring after 19 years of state service, including 11 years as the state fire marshal.
After serving as a fire inspector for the town of Windsor, Volkert has been employed as the municipality’s fire marshal since 2023.
Gilman says she is confident that Volkert has the skills and experience to be a highly successful state fire marshal.
“Lauri Volkert brings significant institutional knowledge, stellar communication skills and deep relationships across the fire service community,” Gilman said in a release. “I envision her utilizing her position to not only protect the life and safety of Connecticut residents through her work on creating and enforcing the fire code, but also prioritizing community risk reduction and public information.”
Gilman joined her colleagues from around Connecticut in thanking Abbott for his lifetime of dedication to fire service in the state. In addition to his state service, he spent more than 25 years as a firefighter and municipal fire marshal.
“There is no doubt that Connecticut residents have been well-served by his dedication and professionalism over the years,” Gilman said.
According to DAS, the Office of the State Fire Marshal must promulgate and enforce codes, standards and regulations to minimize the harm associated with fires, explosions and mechanical failures. The fire code adoption process is a work in progress, as the next building, fire safety and fire prevention codes are expected to go into effect in early 2026.
In her role, Volkert will work closely with the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, which is the state agency tasked with conducting cause and origin of fires and arson investigations. Volker is ready for the opportunity and grateful she was appointed.
“I thank Commissioner Gilman for this appointment and am excited to join the team,” Volkert said. “I am eager to work with partners both in the fire service and the broader community to promote fire and life safety across the state of Connecticut. I congratulate Bill Abbot on his retirement and thank him for his years of dedication to the fire service.”
Volkert earned her Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration from the University of New Haven and gained a paralegal certificate from the University of Hartford. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration from the University of New Haven.
In 2021, Volkert was named the national Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year by the National Fire Protection Association, which recognized her strong partnerships with local, state and national organizations. These organizations have brought significant life-saving measures to aid the people who live, work, learn and play in the state.
As state fire marshal, DAS says Volkert will continue and elevate these activities while being supported by Gilman and the state of Connecticut.
Terrance Dunn, Jr., president of the Connecticut State Fire Marshal’s Association, congratulated Volkert on her appointment and said the organization looks forward to working with her and her team in the future. He also recognized Abbott's contributions.
“We would also like to congratulate outgoing Fire Marshal Bill Abbott for his many years of dedication to the fire marshal community. We wish him the best in his retirement,” Dunn said.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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