Meet the Command Staff

Fire Chief Michael Tully embarked on his journey with the Midland Fire Department in 2004, initially serving as a Firefighter and Engineer. His career trajectory saw promotions to Captain in 2013 and then to Battalion Chief in 2017. Chief Tully boasts an impressive array of certifications, including TDSHS Paramedic, TCFP Master Firefighter, Wildland Firefighter, Fire Officer II, Fire Instructor II, NFA Incident Safety Officer, and Blue Card Incident Commander. He is a distinguished Texas Fire Chiefs Academy graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Safety & Emergency Management in 2016 and a master’s degree in Public Administration in 2022. Chief Tully is an active member of the Permian Basin Incident Management Team and the Texas Intrastate Mutual-Aid System (TIFMAS).

As Fire Chief, Michael Tully directs the EMS Division, Administrative Battalion Chief, Fire Information/Records Coordinator, and Training Division. As a vital member of the executive administrative staff, he contributes to strategic planning, budget development, policy implementation, project management, team building, and leadership activities within the department.

Assistant Chief of Operations Brian Cruz brings 22 years of dedicated service to his new position. A lifelong public servant, Chief Cruz has served as a Firefighter/Paramedic, Engineer, Captain, and, most recently, as an operations Battalion Chief.

Chief Cruz holds an associate degree in Fire Science from Midland College and a Bachelor’s in Fire Administration from Texas A&M-San Antonio. He is a graduate of the Texas Fire Chiefs Academy. He holds multiple certifications from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, including Master Firefighter, Fire Officer II, Instructor, Hazmat Incident Commander, and Blue Card Incident Commander. Chief Cruz is a licensed paramedic through the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Known for his calm leadership and commitment to operational excellence, Chief Cruz is passionate about mentorship, accountability, and team development. Off duty, he is a devoted husband and father of two beautiful daughters. His vision is to lead with integrity while advancing the department's mission of service and safety.

Chief Cruz will be tasked with operational oversight of daily emergency operations, management of fiscal oversight for the operational budget, and oversight of the training division. Chief Cruz also serves on the City of Midland, safety prevention committee.

Assistant Chief Michael Cota has been an integral part of the Midland Fire Department since February 1996. His diverse career in suppression, starting as a Firefighter and progressing to an Investigator in the Fire Marshal's Office, has allowed him to contribute significantly to various disciplines within the City of Midland. Chief Cota holds TCFP Master certifications in Firefighting, Arson Investigation, and Fire Inspection, along with certifications as a Fire Instructor I and Fire Officer I. He maintains an EMT-I and Peace Officer license. Chief Cota is a distinguished graduate of the Texas Fire Chiefs Academy and has completed the Certified Public Manager program through Texas Tech University. He holds an associate’s degree from Midland College.

As a member of the executive administrative staff, Chief Cota's responsibilities include overseeing the Community Risk Reduction program and managing the Fire Marshal's Office. In this role, he adeptly balances relationships with internal and external resources to positively impact the lives of the city's citizens. Chief Cota is also tasked with managing departmental functions, including policies, budgets, health and wellness initiatives, and strategic planning.

Additionally, Chief Cota holds a longstanding position on the Board of Midland Municipal Employee's Credit Union. Outside his professional duties, he invests his spare time mentoring young athletes.

Chief Pruitt has been a dedicated member of the Midland Fire Department since 2006, starting as a firefighter. Over the years, he has ascended through the ranks, achieving the positions of Engineer in 2011, Captain in 2014, and Battalion Chief in 2020. He holds an impressive array of certifications, including being a TDSHS Licensed Paramedic, TCFP Master Firefighter, Fire Officer II, Fire Instructor II, ARFF, and a Blue Card Incident Commander & Instructor. His academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Technology, as well as Associate degrees in Emergency Medical Services and Fire Science. He is also a proud graduate of the Texas Fire Chief’s Academy.

In addition to his operational role, Chief Pruitt serves as the Director of several divisions within the department, including the EMS division, Administrative Battalion Chief, Fire Information/Records Coordinator, Fire Department Facilities, Fire Department Fleet, and Midland Fire Department’s TIFMAS program, along with overseeing uniforms and PPE. He actively participates in strategic planning, budget development, policy implementation, project management, and team building, contributing to leadership activities within the department.

A lifelong resident of Midland, Chief Pruitt is married and a proud parent of six children. Outside of his professional responsibilities, he is committed to the community, volunteering with various non-profit organizations to make a difference in the lives of others. Chief Pruitt exemplifies dedication to public service and is a valuable asset to the Midland Fire Department and the community it serves.

Fire Marshal Rocky Guzman began his career with the Midland Fire Department in 2010 as a Fire Cadet and was appointed as a Firefighter in 2011. In 2016, he was promoted to the Fire Marshal’s Office, where he has served as a Fire Investigator and now leads as the Fire Marshal.

Fire Marshal Guzman holds an extensive array of certifications, including TDSHS Licensed Paramedic, Advanced Peace Officer, Firearms Instructor, Master Firefighter, Master Arson Investigator, Master Fire Investigator, Instructor II, Fire Officer II, Wildland Firefighter, Fire Marshal, and Plans Examiner. He earned an Associate's degree in Emergency Medical Services from Midland College in 2013. He later completed a Bachelor’s degree in Fire and Emergency Services Administration from Texas A&M University–San Antonio in 2023.

In his current role, Fire Marshal Guzman oversees a team of six Fire Investigators and a plans examiner. He is responsible for managing fire code enforcement, inspections, and fire investigations. He plays a critical role in developing public safety programs, reviewing building plans to mitigate fire hazards, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Additionally, he contributes to budget planning, capital purchasing decisions, and policy development, while maintaining strong communication with local officials and the community.