Fire Department Staff Directory Last updated or reviewed on August 20, 2024 Asheville Fire Department Asheville Fire Department business hours are Monday -Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Main Office Line: 828-259-5636 Fire Marshal’s Division: 828-259-5640 Physical Address: 100 Court Plaza Asheville, NC 28801 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7148 Asheville, NC 28802 Fire Chief Mike Cayse 828-259-5636 mcayse@ashevillenc.gov Chief Cayse has over 34 years of experience rising through the ranks in the Cincinnati Fire Department before joining the Asheville Fire Department on January 2, 2024. Chief Cayse has extensive experience in managing firegrounds, fire and rescue special operations, securing grant funding, and serving as the FEMA USAR Ohio Task Force 1 Task Force Leader, FEMA Functional Group Leader, and liaison to the Ohio National Guard. Chief Cayse has responded to numerous USAR deployments across the nation including 9/11 and the Surfside Condominium Collapse in Florida. He also has numerous fire service-related certifications, and awards, and has had his work published in national fire service publications. Cayse has a BS in Fire Safety Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Public Administration from Northern Kentucky University. Deputy Fire Chief Chris Budzinski 828-259-5636 cbudzinski@ashevillenc.gov Deputy Fire Chief Chris Budzinski joined the Asheville Fire Department in 2001. He was assigned to Engine 1 and Engine 3 as a firefighter. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2007 and assigned to Squad 1 and then Engine 1. Chief Budzinski was promoted to Captain in 2010. In 2012 Chief Budzinski was promoted to Battalion Chief and served in Battalion 3 and then in Battalion 1. Chief Budzinski was the fire department’s Accreditation Manager from 2008 until 2012. He has an Associate’s degree in Fire Protection Technology from Gaston College and a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Safety Engineering Technology from UNC-Charlotte. As Deputy Fire Chief, Chief Budzinski will be responsible for coordinating with the Fire Chief for the planning, organizing & directing all phases of the operation of the fire department. This includes the development of policy, leadership vision & budget organization and implementation for all elements of the department. Assistant Fire Chief – Operations Bureau Patrick Crudup 828-259-5636 pcrudup@ashevillenc.gov Assistant Fire Chief – Support Services Bureau Michael Coggins, Assistant Fire Chief 828-259-5636 mcoggins@ashevillenc.gov _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Assistant Fire Chief – Emergency Management Bureau Assistant Fire Chief, Jeremy Knightom 828-259-5636 jknighton@ashevillenc.gov Resources Organizational Chart Updated 02/24/2020
