Cash begins his new role Aug. 23

By Sarah Nigbor

RIVER FALLS – When Steven Cash visited River Falls, he immediately felt at home. He knew his decision to apply for the open fire chief position was the right move for him and his family. As fate would have it, the River Falls Police & Fire Commission appointed him the new RF Fire Chief at its Monday, June 27 meeting. He is set to begin in his new role Aug. 23.

Cash, who currently serves at the City of La Crosse Fire Department assistant chief of community risk management, has been employed with La Crosse since 2004. He was looking to take the next step in his career path and started looking for a chief position. He was immediately drawn to River Falls.

“I got a call from a recruiter at Gov HR and they said your resume is perfect,” Cash said. “My wife and I took the trip and we came up. We checked out the community, we even walked up to complete strangers and asked them about the community. Everyone just raved about River Falls.”

They were a bit familiar with River Falls as their son is a powerlifter who has competed at tournaments at River Falls High School. Cash’s wife, Rena, grew up in Kewaunee and said River Falls reminded her of a smaller town.

“Everything felt really comfortable,” Cash said of their visit. “The kids encouraged me to do it. It seems like the perfect fit for my family and like the stars aligned.”

See RF FIRE CHIEF, Page 9

Newly appointed River Falls Fire Chief Steven Cash and wife Rena have four children. They are excited to get to know the River Falls community. Photo courtesy of Steven Cash RF fire chief

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Who is Chief Cash?

Cash was born and raised in Rochester, Minn. When he was in middle school, his family moved to Kaukauna and the Fox Cities area, where he graduated high school. After high school, he made the move to Green Bay where he was eventually recruited by a friend to join the fire service in Milwaukee.

“One of my close friends was a firefighter in Milwaukee,” Cash said. “I was actually going to be going to school for electrical engineering, but I kind of have an adrenaline bone in my body.”

He completed training with the department and surpassed expectations. He felt it was up his alley, considering he likes adrenaline-ridden activities such as skydiving and extreme mountain biking. He also fell in love with the camaraderie, the brotherhood that the fire service embraces.

“The fire service calls themselves the brotherhood and the sisterhood,” Cash said. “They invited you in like you were family. I absolutely loved it, and I really enjoyed helping people. Adrenaline, community, and the friendship in the midst of helping people and bettering your community. I instantly fell in love with it.”

Career path

In 2001, Cash completed his Emergency Medical Technician technical diploma at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, where he developed skills in first aid, CPR, basic life support and more. In 2002 from Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, he earned his associate’s degree as a fire protection technician where he learned firefighting techniques and principles, fire protection systems, building construction, public education and speaking, hazardous materials, fire inspection and EMS duties.

In 2021, Cash graduated Summa Cum Laude from Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Ala., with a Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration/Fire Investigation.

Most recently, Cash has managed and supervised the City of La Crosse Community Risk Management Division with a divisional budget of more than $1.1 million. He developed department-wide performance improvements through data analytics acting as the department’s accreditation manager and expanded community outreach programs to underserved demographics. He is also a certified fire and explosion investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators and the National Association of Fire Investigators.

From 2006-2015, Cash served as an adjunct instructor for EMS/Fire Services at Western Technical College in La Crosse. Prior to taking a job with the City of La Crosse, he served as a firefighter/engineer for four years with the Village of Howard Fire Department.

Cash was one of 17 applicants for the River Falls Fire Chief position after Scott Nelson retired. After initial virtual interviews, three candidates were selected to meet with panels consisting of representatives from the fire department including Interim Chief Tom Foley, the city organization, the Commission, the City Council and the community. Cash interviewed with the panel on June 14, 2022.

Outside of work, Cash enjoys biking, camping, family movie and game nights, grilling and anything that gets him outside. Since his wife frowns upon extreme sports such as skydiving and bungee jumping, he’s turned to another hobby he’s excited to explore in River Falls. “I brew beer and enjoy getting into the science and chemistry of it,” Cash said. “I also enjoy doing projects around the house. I have to stay busy. I’m one of those guys who drives his wife nuts on those ‘do nothing’ days. I’m lucky if I last three hours.”

Cash and his wife have four children. They are all looking forward to getting to know the community.

“We know of a few breweries up there and we plan to get into some of the community festivals,” Cash said. “We will be attending River Falls Days and getting to know the people.”

Steven Cash