Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Melissa Decker has been selected as the Southern Regional Office nominee for the 2025 James C. Robertson Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year Award. She was nominated by Deputy Chief John Nelson, commander of the Southern Regional Office.
Decker will join nominees from each regional office and the Special Operations Unit at the Maryland State Firefighters Association in Ocean City on June 22, where the statewide recipient will be announced.
A member of the Office of the State Fire Marshal since 2010, Decker has established a reputation as an investigator, K-9 handler, instructor, and public safety advocate. In 2025, she led 14 fire and explosive investigations, conducted 44 fire and life safety inspections, and completed two prisoner extraditions from Florida and West Virginia.
Decker and her accelerant-detection K-9 partner, Taylor, responded to 62 deployments across Maryland and surrounding jurisdictions in 2025, assisting investigators in identifying ignitable liquids and determining fire origin and cause. The duo graduated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Accelerant Detection Canine Program in 2024, making them one of a limited number of ATF-certified teams nationwide.
Deputy Chief Nelson said Decker’s commitment to community engagement sets her apart.
“In 2025, Melissa participated in 42 public education, community policing, and fire safety events across Southern Maryland and throughout the state,” Nelson wrote in his nomination letter. “Her efforts to educate the public and strengthen community relationships go well beyond the expectations of her position.”
Her outreach includes Shop With a Cop, No Hunger November, Touch-A-Truck events, school career days, fire department camps, and training programs. She regularly brings K-9 Taylor into schools and community events to support fire safety education and provide insight into agency operations.
She also delivered presentations on fire investigation and accelerant-detection K-9 operations to criminal justice students, prosecutors, firefighters, and midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.
“Melissa has a natural ability to connect with people,” Nelson said. “Whether at a fire scene, speaking with future professionals, or engaging with children in the community, she represents the Office of the State Fire Marshal with professionalism and authenticity.”
Nelson added that her “consistency, professionalism, and commitment to service reflect the very best of the agency.”
Outside of work, Decker spends time with family and friends, enjoys traveling, and cares for her dogs, including K-9 Taylor
