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Cobb County appoints Michael A. Cunningham as fire chief
Summary
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners appointed Dr. Michael A. Cunningham as county fire chief in a 4-0 vote on Feb. 11 after a recommendation from the county manager. Cunningham, a longtime department member and Air Force veteran, pledged to continue the department's tradition of service.
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 Feb. 11 to approve the appointment of Dr. Michael A. Cunningham as the county's fire chief following a recommendation from County Manager Dr. McMorris.
Cunningham, who joined Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services in February 2005, was promoted through the ranks from firefighter to engineer, lieutenant, captain and chief of staff. The county manager told the board Cunningham has advanced through multiple leadership roles and holds an Associate of Avionic Systems from the Community College of the Air Force, a Bachelor of Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a Bachelor of Computer Science from Troy University, an MBA from Kennesaw State University and a Ph.D. in industrial and organizational psychology from Grand Canyon University. The manager also noted Cunningham has earned the Chief Fire Officer designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing and completed leadership programs including Leadership Cobb (2023).
Why it matters: The appointment names a permanent leader for Cumberland County's firefighting and emergency response operations after an internal selection process. The board recorded no opposing votes.
Commissioner remarks and ceremony: Commissioner Brown and others offered congratulations on the appointment. At the dais and later on the podium, Michael A. Cunningham called the appointment ‘‘a humbling experience and an absolute honor’’ and said he was ‘‘honored to stand alongside you and continue this tradition of excellence while we serve this department, this community, the citizens and visitors.’’ He thanked the board, County Manager Dr. McMorris, the department’s command staff and his family.
Formal action: The board moved to approve the county manager’s recommendation and the motion carried 4-0. No effective date beyond the appointment announcement was stated during the meeting.
The board invited Cunningham’s family and department command staff forward for remarks and for a group photo after the vote.
