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OUR DEPARTMENT

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ABOUT COBB

We exist to provide superior fire, rescue, and emergency services to the citizens and visitors of Cobb County in a proficient, professional, and compassionate manner. We continuously promote life safety within the county by practicing prevention, planning, education, and training.

Our Vision

To be a professional organization leading the way in setting a standard of excellence.

Values

  • Respect
  • Integrity
  • Commitment
  • Honor

Cultural Commitments

  • Fitness
  • Unity through Diversity
  • Safety
  • Education 

Department Facts

  • Over 700 sworn personnel
  • Over 63,000 calls annually
  • Covering 305 square miles
  • Serving over 755,000 residents
  • 29 Stations (13 Advanced Life Support Stations)
  • 29 Engines
  • 8 Aerial Ladder Trucks
  • 9 Rescue Vehicles
  • 2 Technical Rescue teams
  • 2 Hazmat teams
  • 1 MedOps Team
  • 2 Boats for river/lake rescues

Chief's Office

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Chief Bill Johnson

Chief Johnson is a lifelong citizen of Cobb County and has proudly served Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services since 1994. He is well-versed in the operations of the Fire Department, working his way through the ranks distinguishing himself with his leadership and management skills. In August 2020, Chief Johnson was appointed as the department’s sixth Fire Chief in its 50-year history. In this role he is responsible for planning the long-range goals, objectives, organizational structure, and overall direction for a CPSE accredited, ISO 1 fire department with over 800 authorized positions serving more than 750,000 citizens and visitors.

Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University. Additionally, Chief Johnson is a graduate of the University of Georgia, Carl Vinson Institute of Government EXCEL Management Development program, is a 2019 graduate of the Cobb Chamber Leadership Cobb leadership program, and serves on several committees.

In his spare time, you can find Chief Johnson spending time in the community with his wife, Kristi, and two children, Emme and Tate.

DEPUTY CHIEFS

Kevin Gross, Deputy Chief

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Deputy Chief Gross has been with Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services for 23 years. During this time, he has served in numerous capacities including Executive Officer to the Director of Public Safety, Battalion Chief, District One Chief, and Deputy Chief of Response. He currently serves as Deputy Chief of Preparedness. Deputy Chief Gross has a Master’s in Business Administration from Reinhardt University, Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Valdosta State University, and an Associate’s in Fire Management from Georgia Perimeter College. He is married to his wife, Kim, and they have two sons, Connor and Parker.

Carl Crumbley, Deputy Chief

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Deputy Chief Crumbley has been with Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services since November of 1998. He has served in various capacities to include Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief. He is a Certified Paramedic, Incident Safety Officer, Hazardous Material Technician and Health & Safety Program Manager. In February of 2019, Chief Crumbley became the Division Chief of EMS Operations, and in July 2020 he became the Deputy Chief of Community Risk Reduction. Deputy Chief Crumbley has earned an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in Fire Science Technology from West Georgia Technical College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University.

Mike Schutz, Deputy Chief

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Deputy Chief Schutz began his fire service career with Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services in February 1996. He has risen through the ranks to his current position and has also served as a Paramedic, Training Lieutenant, Training Captain and Training Chief. He has worked in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th battalions throughout his career. Deputy Chief Schutz holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management in Leadership from Reinhardt University and an Associate Degree in Fire Science for Coosa Valley Technical College. Deputy Chief Schutz is currently completing the Executive Fire Officer program at the National Fire Academy.

DIVISION & DISTRICT CHIEFS

Michael Cunningham, Chief of Staff

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Chief Cunningham has proudly served at Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services since 2005. He has worked his way through the ranks to his current rank of Division Chief, serving in the role of Chief of Staff. In this position, Chief Cunningham is responsible for managing the administrative system which guides the daily operations for the Fire Chief and senior command staff. He accomplishes this by providing strategic counsel to the Fire Chief and other Command Staff members, as well as performing oversight, project management, performance management, and policy direction in line with the department’s strategic plan.

Chief Cunningham holds a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, a Master’s degree in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Aeronautics, and an Associate's in Applied Science degree in Avionic Systems Technology. Additionally, Chief Cunningham received his Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation from the CPSE Commission on Professional Credentialing, is a graduate of the University of Georgia, Carl Vinson Institute of Government EXCEL Management Development program, and is a member of the 2023 Cobb Chamber Leadership Cobb leadership program.

In his leisure time he enjoys spending time with wife, Bita, and son Gavin, traveling, doing outdoor activities, and socializing with family and friends.

Nicholas Adams, Division Chief

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Since his public safety career began in 1992, Nick served with several agencies, including the Georgia Army National Guard, CareLine EMS (later AMR), and Mountain Park Fire & Rescue. In 1998, he joined Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services, where he is currently the EMS Division Chief. Nick earned his Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management and Master of Public Administration degrees from Jacksonville State University. In 2017, Nick was awarded the EMS Advocate of the Year. In addition, Nick serves on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Association of EMS and was a founding member of the Metro Atlanta EMS Conference.

Nicholas A. Dawe, Fire Marshal

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Division Chief Nicholas Dawe is an experienced Fire Marshal with an extended history of working in the Government Administration industry. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science in Fire and Safety Engineering program and the Seneca College of Fire Protection Engineering Tech Program.

Nick has a proven skillset in Public Safety, Emergency Management, Fire Management, and Fire Protection. He also earned a Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A.) focused in Business Administration and Management from Reinhardt University McCamish School of Business and is a graduate of the Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government for State Local Officials. Furthermore, he is a member of several NFPA Technical Committees and has a lot of experience developing public policy and life safety codes, and is a chapter author for the Fire Protection Handbook.

Steve Lester, Division Chief of Training

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Division Chief Steve Lester has been a proud member of Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services since 1996. During this time, he has moved through the ranks to his current position of Division Chief, where he oversees daily operations of the Training Division. He and his staff are responsible for the Recruit Training Academy, continuing education, Pathways and Cadets programs, and records management regarding training. He has also served the department in several other capacities including an officer on the Medical Operations Team, service as a certified paramedic and registered nurse, certified flight registered nurse, ACLS instructor, and a Blue Card Command Lead Instructor. Chief Lester also is a member and/or chairperson of several department committees.

Division Chief Lester holds degrees in both Fire Department Management and Nursing. In his spare time, Chief Lester enjoys hiking with his wife, trout fishing with his two daughters and physical fitness.

Justin Green, District Chief

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District Chief Justin Green began his career in the fire service in 1998. Joining Cobb County Fire Emergency Services in 2003, he has made his way up the ranks as a Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief before being appointed to the rank of District Chief. Chief Green has been a paramedic for 20 years.

In addition, Chief Green has served in many other roles in the department including ACLS instructor, Training Adjunct Instructor, Blue Card Instructor, and Safety Review Board Chair. Chief Green holds an Associate’s Degree in Emergency Medicine from Georgia Highlands College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Columbia Southern. He is married to his wife, Sara, and they have two children, Sophia and Sadie.

Joshua Taylor, District Chief

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District Chief Joshua Taylor has been in Public Safety since 1994 spending the last 22 years at Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services. During this time, he served in numerous capacities including Training Captain and Lieutenant, Medical Operations Team, and Battalion Chief. He currently serves as District Two Chief. District Chief Taylor has a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Service Management from Waldorf University and an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science Administration from Georgia Perimeter College. He is married to his wife Dena, they have two children Bridgett, Reed and two grandkids Kallum and Kieran.

David George, District Chief

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District Chief David George has been a proud member of Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services since 1999. During this time, he has moved through the ranks to his current position of District Chief, where he oversees field operations on B-shift, and is the Medical Operations Team administrator. He has also served the department in several other capacities, including service as a certified paramedic, ACLS instructor, Blue Card Command instructor, Peer Support member, and as the department’s JHAT adjunct.

District Chief George is a Fire Officer IV and holds degrees as an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science Technology, a Bachelor of Science of Occupational Safety and Health, and a Master of Business Administration. In his spare time, Chief George enjoys going on outdoor adventures with his wife Michelle, and spending family time with their three children.