Belforest Volunteer Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael A. Aaron has earned the Chief Fire Officer designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing, an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

The commission conferred the designation Sept. 10 following a professional credentialing and peer-review process. The voluntary designation recognizes fire service leaders who demonstrate excellence in areas including experience, education, professional development, community involvement and technical competence.

Aaron began his fire service career in 1994 as a junior firefighter and has served for more than 30 years in volunteer, combination, municipal and federal fire departments. He currently oversees fire operations, training, officer development and emergency incident command with Belforest Volunteer Fire Department.

In 2026, Aaron earned an Associate of Science in Fire Science and a Bachelor of Science in Fire Department Administration from Columbia Southern University. He completed both degrees with a 4.0 GPA and graduated Summa Cum Laude with his bachelor's degree.

He is continuing his professional development by pursuing NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist and Florida Firesafety Inspector III certifications. He also holds an Alabama Fire Investigator certification and is completing coursework for Florida Fire Investigator certification.

“I started in the volunteer fire service when I was 14 years old, and more than 30 years later I still have the same desire to learn and become better at what I do,” Aaron said in a news release. “Earning the Chief Fire Officer designation is something I am very proud of, but it also reminds me that there is always more to learn. One of my biggest responsibilities now is to take the experience and knowledge I have gained throughout my career and pass it on to the next generation of firefighters and officers.”

The CFO designation is valid for three years and requires continued professional growth, professional contributions, association membership and community involvement, along with adherence to a professional code of conduct.