Former Columbia Fire Chief Named Missouri Fire Marshal

Columbia’s former fire chief, Clayton Farr Jr., has been named Missouri State Fire Marshal, Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Thursday. Farr led the Columbia Fire Department in Boone County until he retired in 2024.

Farr’s career in the fire service lasted nearly 32 years, according to the governor’s office. He rose from firefighter through lieutenant, battalion chief, division chief, fire marshal and assistant chief to head a department of almost 200 people with a $34 million budget.

What does the State Fire Marshal do?

The fire marshal leads the Division of Fire Safety, part of the Missouri Department of Public Safety. In describing Farr’s background, Kehoe listed code enforcement, fire investigations, fireworks and explosives enforcement, firefighter training and fire safety public education among his past responsibilities.

“He brings the skillset, collaborative spirit, and practical experience that will guide the Division of Fire Safety team into the future,” Kehoe said in the release.

Farr is a licensed Missouri emergency medical technician. He holds or has held Missouri certifications as a fire inspector, instructor, investigator and hazardous materials technician, and belongs to the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Fire Protection Association.

Why does it matter in Boone, Howard and Cooper counties?

Fire crews across Mid-Missouri already lean on Columbia-area training and expertise. Earlier this month the Times told the story of a longtime Columbia firefighter who equipped and trained Howard County crews, and this summer Columbia and Boone County fire crews retrained for swift-water rescues.

Kehoe also appointed Christin H. Templeton as state supervisor of the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. She had been acting supervisor. DPS Director Mark James said the two appointments “round out our outstanding Department of Public Safety leadership team, where collaboration and working closely with our local partners is a top priority.”

For more on the Division of Fire Safety, visit the Department of Public Safety at dps.mo.gov. The governor’s office can be reached at (573) 751-3222 or through governor.mo.gov.