Mayor Don Walters is proud to announce that Chris Martin is officially the 16th Chief of the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department as of July 1, 2021. Mayor Don Walters has appointed Jack Breese as Assistant Fire Chief. He began his new role on July 5, 2021.
"With over two decades of service to the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department, Chris has served in many leadership and mentorship roles and is a true servant leader in the Cuyahoga Falls community," stated Mayor Don Walters. "I have full confidence that Chris will lead the department with wisdom, experience, and a willingness to continue the forward movement of the department through innovative initiatives. Additionally, I expect great things out of Assistant Chief Breese as he assumes this new leadership role alongside Chief Martin."
"I have dedicated my professional life in service to the citizens of Cuyahoga Falls, and I am both energized and humbled by this opportunity to lead the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department, the department in which I have spent my entire career," said Fire Chief Martin. "The women and men of this department are some of the best and brightest people I have ever had the great fortune of working with. I look forward to continuing to work with them to continue to strengthen our department and leading them into the future, which is an incredible responsibility and one that I do not take lightly."
“It is the honor of my life to continue to serve the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department in this new leadership capacity, and I am motivated by the opportunity to work with Mayor Walters and Chief Martin as we begin this next chapter in our department’s history,” stated Assistant Chief Breese. “As we begin to move beyond the pandemic, I remain committed to the challenge of working to find creative solutions that will help ensure a sustainable future for the department.”
Martin has gained extensive experience working in every capacity at emergency scenes throughout his career, including front-line tasks and command roles. His administrative duties have ranged from personnel management to budget preparation. Along with obtaining countless fire and emergency management certifications, he is a 2018 graduate of the Ohio Fire Executive program through the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association.
Breese, a 14 year veteran of the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department, most recently served as Lieutenant. He continues to serve the community with compassion, dedication, and pride. He brings with him a strong background in fire and leadership education, emergency management, disaster response, and fire protection.
A ceremonial swearing-in ceremony will be held for Martin and Breese on Wednesday, July 21, at 3 p.m., at the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium, 2345 4th Street.