Auburn names new fire chief

Matt Cain – Photo from City of Auburn

The City of Auburn has announced who will become its next fire chief.

Matt Cain will become chief on April 1. Current Fire Chief John Lankford will retire March 31.

Cain began his career with the Auburn Fire Department as a student firefighter in 2006. Over the last 19 years, he climbed to the rank of battalion chief holding nearly every position in the department along the way.

“Chief Cain has a proven track record of leadership, dedication and commitment to the City of Auburn, the Auburn Fire Department and Auburn residents,” said Auburn City Manager Megan McGowen Crouch. “I have no doubt that he will lead the Fire Department to new heights.”

Cain most recently served as the City’s first EMS officer, leading the department’s efforts to equip personnel and emergency vehicles to better serve the community’s medical rescue needs.

“I’ve experienced the joys of saving lives as well as the tragedy that goes along with losing them,” Cain said. “It has been an honor to contribute to Auburn Fire’s growth, enhancing our ability to make a difference when timeliness and proper training can mean the difference between life and death.”

Since the department received its Advanced Life Support license in 2023, Cain helped grow the City’s ALS response by equipping fire trucks with more licensed paramedics, upgrading medical equipment and implementing new procedures.

Cain holds a bachelor’s degree in science from Auburn University and has been an on-shift training officer for the fire department since 2014. He is a Certified Advanced EMT and has extensive technical rescue and leadership training.

Alongside his duties with the Auburn Fire Department, Cain has volunteered with Southwest Lee County Fire Department since 2006. He has served as Southwest’s board treasurer for 10 years, managing the department’s annual budget, purchasing decisions and accounting.

— Information from the City of Auburn