James Mallinger, Fire Chief

James Mallinger was selected to lead the Cedar Park Fire Department in November 2012, after serving five months as Interim Fire Chief.

Chief Mallinger joined the Cedar Park Fire Department, beginning as a Firefighter in January 1996, working his way through the ranks as a Fire Lieutenant, and Fire Captain. Chief Mallinger was promoted to the position of Assistant Fire Chief in February 1999, and has twice served as Interim Fire Chief. In addition to his role as Assistant Fire Chief, Mallinger also served as the City Emergency Management Coordinator for approximately six years. He leads a department of 87 firefighters and civilian staff of four, and annual budget of approximately $13.5 million.

Chief Mallinger serves as an Adjunct Instructor for the Texas A & M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and Austin Community College. He holds a Masters in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Texas State University-Round Rock, an Associate Degree in Fire Protection Technology from Austin Community College, and a Texas Firefighters Certificate from the Texas A&M University Recruit Fire School. He is certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection in Department Head Suppression, and as a Master Firefighter, Master Fire Inspector, Master Fire Investigator, Hazardous Materials Technician, Incident Safety Officer, Wildland Firefighter, and Fire Instructor III. He is certified as a Fire Service Chief Executive Officer and as a Fire Officer IV by TEEX, as an Executive Fire Officer by the National Fire Academy, a Chief Fire Officer by the Commission on Professional Credentialing, an Emergency Medical Technician by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Certified Fire Executive by the Texas Fire Chiefs Association.

Chief Mallinger and his wife Luci live in Cedar Park with their two children and one grandchild.