Fire Chief Craig E. Vogel

Craig E. Vogel serves as Fire Chief of the Bath Township Fire Department, bringing more than 14 years of fire service experience to the position. Throughout his career, Chief Vogel has progressed through the ranks from part-time firefighter to Lieutenant and ultimately Captain, gaining extensive experience in fire suppression, emergency medical services, incident command, training, and organizational leadership.

Chief Vogel is a graduate of Defiance High School and began his formal fire service education at the Ohio Fire Academy, where he earned his Firefighter II certification. He holds an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Administration and Investigation from Columbia Southern University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Executive Leadership in Public Administration at Columbia Southern University, where he has earned recognition on the President’s List for academic excellence.

Chief Vogel was selected to participate in the National Fire Academy’s prestigious Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program, one of the nation’s premier professional development programs for senior fire and emergency services leaders. The intensive, multi-year program brings together experienced fire service executives from across the country and focuses on executive leadership, strategic thinking, organizational improvement, and addressing the complex challenges facing today’s fire and emergency services.

Chief Vogel has completed Fire Officer I through IV and holds an Incident Safety Officer certification. He is also a Juvenile Firesetter Interventionist, Fire and Life Safety Educator, and Fire Safety Inspector, as well as a nationally registered Paramedic. His commitment to developing others has been a significant part of his career, including more than five years of experience as a fire and EMS instructor and service as an NFPA 1403 live-fire instructor.

Professionally, Chief Vogel is a member of the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association, Allen County Fire Chiefs Association, and Northwest Ohio Fire Chiefs Association. He also serves with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation as a member of the Local Assistance State Team (LAST), supporting fire departments and the families of fallen firefighters following line-of-duty deaths.

Beyond the fire service, Chief Vogel is active in his community. He serves as a board member for the Defiance Baseball Association and is a member of the Knights of Columbus, BPOE #147, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Education, professional development, training, and service are central to Chief Vogel’s leadership philosophy. He believes successful organizations are built through teamwork, accountability, professionalism, and a commitment to continuous improvement. As Fire Chief, he is committed to developing members at every level of the organization, strengthening officer development and succession planning, and creating a training-driven culture in which personnel are prepared to perform at a consistently high level regardless of assignment or position.

Chief Vogel is committed to building upon the strong foundation of the Bath Township Fire Department while preparing the organization for the future. He looks forward to working alongside the department’s members, township leadership, community partners, and citizens to ensure Bath Township continues to receive exceptional fire, EMS, and community risk-reduction services.

Chief Vogel and his wife, Samantha, have been married for 19 years and have two sons, Gavin and Bryant. Outside of the fire service, he enjoys spending time with his family, coaching youth sports, hunting, traveling, reading, and music.