Fire protection and rescue operations that are performed throughout the 1,500 square miles of Dare County are provided by more than 350 dedicated volunteer and career firefighters serving in four municipal departments, 11 fire districts and one rescue district. These dedicated men and women serve their neighbors and communities day and night throughout the year, protecting lives and property, and answering nearly 6,400 calls a year. As a coastal resort community, the year-round population of Dare County can swell from the estimated population from 37,000 to nearly 400,000 during the peak of the summer season.

The Dare County Fire Marshal’s Office has an important role in the life, safety, and welfare of Dare County's residents, property owners and visitors by reducing the risk of fires and fire-related injuries and deaths. This is accomplished through three major tasks: working with all of the local fire departments to improve services; conducting technical fire prevention and inspection activities; and providing public education.

The Dare County Fire Marshal serves as the liaison between the fire departments and the Dare County Board of Commissioners and staff, whose role is to work with the local fire departments to improve response capabilities within their districts. This is accomplished through response preparation, training, education and strategic planning.

The Dare County Fire Marshal is responsible for the enforcement of the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code within the unincorporated areas of Dare County and through contracted services to several local jurisdictions. The code’s intent is to provide for a reasonable level of life safety from fire and hazardous conditions in new and existing buildings, as well as to provide for emergency responder safety.  This is accomplished through the review of building plans and periodic fire safety inspections of all commercial, governmental and multi-family structures.  The office also provides technical assistance to each of the municipalities within Dare County. 

Public education is a key to reducing fire incidents within any community. The Dare County Fire Marshal works with each of the departments to provide educational programs throughout the county for public events, business and private groups and coordinates the use of the Dare County Fire Officer’s Fire Safety Trailer. This is a mobile classroom that can provide interactive fire and life safety training to citizens of all ages.

A complete list of all fire and rescue service organizations within Dare County is available at Dare County Fire Districts & Municipalities. 

Avon Motel on Hatteras Island - June 25, 2015.