The City of Asheville is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Cayse as the new Fire Chief of the Asheville Fire Department. He joins us from Cincinnati, Ohio where he has spent much of his 34-year public safety career.
Chief Cayse began his career in 1990 as a Firefighter and has worked through the ranks to his current position serving as the District Chief of Special Operations for the Cincinnati Fire Department. Throughout his career, Cayse has obtained a long list of fire-related certifications, along with receiving numerous awards and publishing many articles in professional journals. Cayse has held numerous positions at the Cincinnati Fire Department including Fire Suppression, Human Resources, and Special Operations. Cayse has a Bachelor of Science in Fire Safety Engineering, an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science Technology from the University of Cincinnati, and a Master of Public Administration from Northern Kentucky University.
“I am pleased and excited to have Mr. Cayse join our team in the City of Asheville. When developing the job description for this position we surveyed firefighters and asked them to identify key attributes and skills needed in the next fire chief,” City Manager Debra Campbell said. “I am confident that we have selected a candidate that possesses those most frequently cited skills and one that is committed to building on the high standards of professionalism and service to the community that are values of both the City of Asheville and the Asheville Fire Department,” stated City Manager Debra Campbell.
“I’m honored to have been selected to serve the great community of Asheville as its next fire chief. The culture, the values, and the history of this fire department are all key in my excitement to lead this great organization,” stated Cayse. “The department’s commitment to continuous improvement and service to those in need are examples of the traits exemplifying its greatness.”
Cayse continues, “I look forward to leading with integrity and vision while continuing to further the outstanding reputation that makes the Asheville Fire Department a leader within the fire service and more importantly a partner in the community that is Asheville.”
The City of Asheville extends its warmest congratulations to Michael Cayse on his appointment as Fire Chief. The City looks forward to his leadership and feels confident his background, skills, and commitment will allow for continuous improvement of the Asheville Fire Department while providing the highest quality of service to the community.
Chief Cayse will officially start his role as Chief of the Asheville Fire Department on January 2, 2024.