Meet Mike Bell
Mike Bell is seeking the office of Mayor of Toledo with a passion to make
Toledo a safe and prosperous city. Mike’s love of family and dedication to
Toledo are behind his desire to return to lead his hometown through some of
the most challenging times it has faced in decades.
His life’s work is bringing people together to solve problems, and
that quality is needed at a time when our city, our region and our
nation are in crisis. He believes that Toledo must become a great place
to do business, and he pledges to work regionally to create a favorable
business climate and remove barriers to progress.
In 2001, following the tragic events of September 11th , Mike Bell
was tapped to lead the homeland security efforts of the region, bringing
public safety organizations, hospitals, businesses, school districts and
neighborhood organizations together to handle the challenges of that
most difficult time in our nation’s history.
With over 19 years of executive experience as Fire Chief and State
Fire Marshal, managing multi-million dollar budgets, and over 500
employees, and working with multiple agencies and business interests,
Mike Bell is well prepared to lead this city.
His career in Public Service began in 1980 when he joined the Toledo
Department of Fire and Rescue as a firefighter and later became a
certified paramedic/EMT. In 1990 he was appointed as Chief of the Toledo
Fire and Rescue Department, the first African American as well as the
youngest person ever to lead the department. He remained in that
position for over 16 years. Under his leadership the TFD earned the
prestigious honor of Accreditation by the Commission on Fire
Accreditation, a certification held by only the most elite fire
departments.
In 2007 he was appointed as State Fire Marshal by Ohio Governor Ted
Strickland. In that position he implemented the “Everyone Goes Home”
program, stressing firefighter safety. That program earned the Seal of
Excellence Award from the Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives Program.
Bell grew up in North Toledo attending Spring Elementary School and
Woodward High School where he was he inducted into its Hall of Fame. He
is a graduate of the University of Toledo where he earned a degree in
Education, with business as an area of concentration. He was awarded a
scholarship during his junior and senior years. He was co-captain of the
UT football team, and was named the UT Student of the Year his senior
year in the field of Education.
Mike is the oldest of Norman and Ora Bell’s four sons. He is
predeceased by his brother Sean. His parents instilled in him many
valuable lessons that he lives by, most importantly that you must treat
people fairly and nothing good comes easy.
He is a lifelong Democrat, but stresses that his campaign welcomes
the ideas of everyone. His father, Norman has been active in the Lucas
County Democratic Party for decades. Mike’s counts among his supporters
Democrats, Republicans and Independents.
Mike Bell has served his community through countless civic
organizations, volunteering his time and serving on the boards of the
Boys and Girls Club, The American Red Cross, Bethany House, The American
Liver Foundation, the Old Newsboys Goodfellows where he served as
President, Easter Seals, the Boy Scouts of America and the Salvation
Army.
He has also been an active supporter of the American Cancer Society
and the Toledo Symphony. He is a member of the International Fire
Chief’s Association and received the President’s Award for his efforts
with diversity. He is a life member of the NAACP and a member of True
Vine Missionary Baptist Church.