Fire Chief

Chief Bower was appointed as Copley Township's Fire Chief in November 2018. Chief Bower began his career as a paramedic in Youngstown, Ohio in 1985. He worked for Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department as a firefighter, University Hospitals MedEvac as a flight paramedic, and the University of Akron as a fire instructor. He began his career with Copley Township Fire Department in 2000 filling roles as a firefighter, lieutenant, and captain.

Chief Bower has a Bachelor of Science degree from Youngstown State University. He graduated from the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program and received his Fire Chief credentialing from the Ohio Fire Chief's Association in 2019. He is a certified Fire Officer II, Hazardous Materials Technician, Firefighter II, Fire Instructor, EMS Instructor, Fire Safety Inspector, and Paramedic.

Chief Bower authored and managed BWC Safety Grants for Copley Fire Department which funded the purchase of patient transportation systems, automated CPR devices, and fire hose management equipment. He also coordinated the implementation of a $300,000 Regional Assistance to Firefighters Grant which funded a Fire Station Alerting System for Copley, Norton and Barberton Fire Departments. This system which is activated by Southwest Summit Communications (SWSCOM) dispatch center, has improved response times of emergency services in all three communities.

A lifelong resident of Ohio, Chief Bower is married and has three daughters.

          Chief Chris Bower