Congrats Toledo

[firenresq77]

Congrats to Toledo Fire and Rescue on your $70K grant for prevention...........

[firenresq77]

OK, since the WT sucks and still hasn't fixed the problems with not being able to start a new thread, I will just post it in here...........

http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=6353411

Toledo's Former Fire Chief Named State Fire Marshall

April 11, 2007 10:57 AM EDT

TOLEDO -- Toledo's long-time fire chief has been retired for less than two weeks, but he certainly hasn't slowed down. The Director of Commerce for Ohio has now announced that Michael Bell is the new State Fire Marshall. In the same announcement, Donald C. Cooper was named Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal. Both will begin serving in their new positions on April 30.

"As dedicated firefighting professionals, Bell and Cooper will help Turnaround Ohio in their efforts to make the state a safer place to live, work and do business," said Director of Commerce Kimberly Zurz in a prepared statement. "Each brings a high level of expertise and professionalism that will both advance the initiatives of the Division of State Fire Marshal and build on Ohio's reputation of being at the forefront of fire safety education, investigation and training."

Bell's salary will be $85,600 per year.

Prior to being named State Fire Marshal, Bell served as Chief of the Toledo Department of Fire and Rescue Operations from 1990 to 2007. During his 27-year tenure with the department, he rose through the ranks as a firefighter, paramedic, Lieutenant and Captain. He was the first minority chief of the department.

Bell graduated from the University of Toledo with a B.A. in education and also holds several certifications including National Fire Academy Instructor and State Certified Paramedic. He is the Past Chair of the International Fire Chiefs Diversity Committee and a member of America Burning Revisited Committee.

According to the Commerce Department, Cooper serves as the Assistant Fire Chief for the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department where he directs, supervises and leads the administration, planning and operations of the 86-member department. In addition to holding a Ph.D. and an M.B.A. from California Coast University, he is a Chief Fire Officer designee, member of the Institute of Fire Engineers and a graduate of the Ohio Fire Executive program.

Bell and Cooper will direct the operations of the Bureau of Testing and Registration, Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations, Code Enforcement Bureau, Fire Prevention Bureau, Forensic Laboratory, Fire and Explosion Investigation Bureau and the Ohio Fire Academy.

Posted by AEB