Columbus Fire Deputy Chief Returns to Frontline Ops
Deputy Chief Mike Kutsko steps back from administration to rejoin emergency operations in the Fire Suppression Division.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in People
Columbus Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Kutsko has requested a voluntary reassignment and will return to frontline emergency operations in the Fire Suppression Division. The leadership transition took effect Monday, Nov. 2, and Kutsko will assume the rank of lieutenant.
Why it matters
Kutsko's move follows 14 years in administrative leadership and creates a vacancy that Fire Chief Andy Lay addressed by appointing Capt. Ben Spencer as deputy chief of administration. The change leaves the department's training division needing a new leader.
Kutsko's 14 years of administrative service ends with this reassignment, while Ben Spencer has led the training division since 2019. The department has not yet named a successor to fill the training division vacancy.
The players
Mike Kutsko
Columbus Fire Department deputy chief who requested reassignment after 14 years in administrative leadership and will take the rank of lieutenant.
Ben Spencer
Columbus Fire Department captain who has led the department's training division since 2019 and was appointed deputy chief of administration.
Andy Lay
Columbus Fire Department chief who announced the leadership appointments.
The details
Kutsko requested the voluntary reassignment and will return to frontline operations. Kutsko championed mental health and wellness training, and work performance evaluations to assess firefighters' physical readiness, during his tenure as deputy chief of operations.
Timeline
2019: Ben Spencer begins leading the department's training division.
Monday, Nov. 2, 2026: Leadership transition takes effect.
In the coming weeks: Department selects its next training officer internally.
Leadership Trajectory
Kutsko's move returns a senior officer to frontline work while the department reassigns administrative roles. Spencer's promotion moves a training division leader into administration, leaving the training post open.
Residents served by Columbus Fire Department will see a more senior officer return to emergency operations in the Fire Suppression Division. Department leadership changes take effect Monday, Nov. 2, without altering emergency service delivery.
The takeaway
Leadership rotations like this one let experienced officers return to frontline work while keeping administrative continuity. Watch for the internal training officer selection in the coming weeks.
What happens next
The department will select its next training officer in the coming weeks through an internal candidate selection process.
Further reading
Read more about People leadership changes in Columbus.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mojo 1029.
