R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-28.2-1: Establishment of office of the state fire marshal.

(a) There shall be an office of the state fire marshal within the department of business regulation’s division of building, design and fire professionals, the head of which office shall be the state fire marshal. The state fire marshal shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate and shall serve for a period of five (5) years. During the term the state fire marshal may be removed from office by the governor for just cause. All authority, powers, duties, and responsibilities previously vested in the division of fire safety are hereby transferred to the office of the state fire marshal.

(b) There exists, a state building code office within the office of the state fire marshal as set forth in § 23-27.3-107.0.