Assistant Fire Chief Michael Bell has successfully completed the process that awards the professional designation of Chief Fire Officer (CFO). The Commission on Professional Credentialing met on April 7, 2025, to confer the designation. Assistant Chief Bell becomes one of only 2,030 CFOs worldwide to achieve this prestigious recognition.

The CFO Designation Program is a voluntary program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate excellence in seven measured components: experience, education, professional development, professional contributions, association membership, community involvement, and technical competence. Applicants must also develop and submit a future professional development plan.

The designation is awarded through a comprehensive peer review model, with the Commission granting the CFO title only to those who meet its rigorous standards. Achieving this designation signifies Assistant Chief Bell’s unwavering commitment to the fire and emergency services profession and to continued leadership and service excellence within the Upper Arlington community.

The Commission on Professional Credentialing, an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, administers the CFO Designation Program. The CPC is composed of leaders from academia, federal and local government, and the fire and emergency medical services profession. To learn more about CPC, click here.