In Cobb County, spring 2025 marked a busy time for many of our public servants. Here's a wrapup of some of the highlights from the last few months.
New Leadership and Life-Saving Firsts in Fire and Emergency Services
March and April marked a transformative time for Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services. The department welcomed a new Fire Chief, Michael Cunningham, a 20-year veteran whose appointment reflects a deep commitment to leadership from within. Chief Cunningham emphasized his dedication to both service excellence and community trust-calling the new role his "dream come true."
Notably, the department achieved a historic medical milestone in February that continued to resonate into the spring. Paramedics performed the county's first pre-hospital blood transfusion, administering warm blood to a severely injured woman before arriving at the hospital. This innovation, rarely available in pre-hospital settings, saved her life and showcased Cobb's leadership in emergency response capabilities.
Cobb Police and Sheriff's Office Deepen Community Bonds
The Cobb County Police Department launched a new Citizens Public Safety Academy Program in April, inviting residents behind the scenes to better understand police operations and public safety training. This initiative aims to strengthen transparency, trust, and cooperation between officers and the people they serve.
Meanwhile, the Cobb County Sheriff's Office honored the retirement of K-9 Shax, a beloved Bloodhound
who had served since 2019. Shax was deployed 119 times to assist in search and rescue operations, leaving behind a proud legacy of service to the community and a powerful reminder of the bond between officers and their canine partners.
Investing in Education and Teacher Support
At the district level, the Cobb County School Board approved a forward-thinking $1.86 billion FY2026 budget in April. Designed to support educators and student success, the budget includes salary step increases of up to 4.6% for eligible employees and improved safety investments-such as the introduction of Vapor Wake K-9 officers trained to detect person-borne explosives and firearms on campuses.
Additionally, Cobb County educators continue to lead the way in classroom innovation. The district expanded its use of virtual reality learning tools in middle and high schools. The VR platform, piloted in previous years, has been shown to boost engagement in STEM subjects and is now reaching even more students through a thoughtful rollout and teacher training program.
