Daily Voice
By Zak Failla From Daily Voice
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue is promoting one of its longest-serving and most accomplished members.
Fire Chief John Butler announced that Battalion Chief Matthew Cox will become the department’s newest Deputy Chief, effective Saturday, Dec. 13.
Cox has spent more than two decades with the department, serving in stations across Fairfax County and taking on leadership roles in operations, administration, and training.
His fire service career began in 1989 as a volunteer with the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad, where he earned his EMT certification. He also worked as an emergency room technician at Fairfax Hospital before entering the private sector and later returning to the fire service.
Since joining Fairfax County Fire & Rescue in 2002 as a member of Recruit School 105, Cox has held roles at multiple stations, including Fox Mill, Frying Pan, and Oakton.
He worked as a firefighter, apparatus technician, lieutenant, captain, and battalion chief. He also served as an aide to department leadership in both operations and administrative services.
Throughout his career, Cox has led major initiatives within the department, including staffing studies, apparatus deployment strategies, PPE and SCBA evaluations, operational planning for new fire stations, and pandemic response work.
Cox is also a longtime member of the county’s elite Urban Search and Rescue Team, VATF-1/USA-01.
He serves as a live-find canine specialist alongside his partner, Peter Pan. Together, they have deployed to several major disaster zones, including missions in Miami, the Bahamas, and Turkey.
Cox holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and is pursuing a master’s degree in Building Construction Science and Management.
He has contributed to national and departmental fire service committees, including the National Fire Protection Association’s committees on protective clothing and equipment. He also chaired Fairfax County’s Personal Protective Ensemble Committee for five years.
His service has earned him multiple department honors, including a Team Excellence Award, two Career Achievement Awards, an Outstanding Performance Award, a Unit Citation, a Safe Driving Award, and a Life Saving Award.
Cox and his wife also foster and transport rescue dogs through Oldies But Goodies Cocker Spaniel Rescue. While assigned to Fire Station 36, he was consistently among the top per-capita contributors to the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s “Fill the Boot” campaign.