Spotsylvania Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management Chief Jay Cullinan is calling it a career after more than three decades in emergency services.
In a personal Facebook post this past Wednesday morning, Cullinan announced he had informed the Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors of his pending retirement, effective July 1, 2026.
“After much reflection and prayer, I am stepping forward in faith into the next chapter of my life,” Cullinan wrote.
“This decision was not made lightly, but with a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to serve this incredible community over the past 30 years—especially the last nine as Fire Chief.”
In 1992, Cullinan started his career as a firefighter at the age of 16 in Goochland County. Four year later, he joined the department in Spotsylvania, eventually reaching the rank of Chief in 2017.
After graduating with a bachelor’s in Fire Science from the University of Maryland, Cullinan earned a master’s degree in Management and Leadership from Liberty University. He is also a graduate of both the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and International Association of Fire Chief’s Fire Service Executive Development Institute.
Cullinan also served as both the president of the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association and state director for the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs.
In his statement, Cullinan thanked the men and women at Spotsylvania Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management, noting their “dedication, professionalism and commitment” was second to none.
“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to stand by them,” Cullinan noted.
“Thank you for allowing me to serve. I have always viewed my career as a calling, not as a job. I look forward to the opportunities that lay ahead for me to serve a broader community in new and unique ways.”
