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Mike Bell Delivers Results

Volunteer with the Mike Bell Campaign!Mike Bell will draw upon two decades of executive experience in government – plus a bias for action learned as a fire fighter – to bring people together, focus on the most critical issues, and move decisively to deliver results.

  • Make a donation to the Mike Bell campaign!Youngest chief of a major urban fire department in U.S.

  • First African-American fire chief in an Ohio city

  • Managed more than 500 employees and multi-million dollar budgets for 19 years as chief.

  • Coordinated efforts of multiple city departments, public agencies and business interests.

  • Led homeland security efforts in Northwest Ohio following tragic events of September 11, 2001 – brought together public safety organizations, hospitals, business, school districts and neighborhood organizations.

  • Earned Toledo Fire Department the prestigious Accreditation honor by the Commission of Fire Accreditation -- certification held only by the most elite fire departments.

  • Appointed State Fire Marshall by Governor Strickland in 2007 – streamlined operations and improved communications with fire departments throughout Ohio.

  • Developed statewide “Everyone Goes Home” initiative that won the Seal of Excellence Award by the Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives Program.

  • Co-captain of the UT Rocket football team and UT Student of the Year in 1978.

  • Served the community through active involvement in countless civic organizations including Boys and Girls Club, American Red Cross, Bethany House, Old Newsboys, Easter Seals, Boy Scouts, Easter Seals, and Salvation Army.