Dr. De’Anjelo Bradley was born in December 1983 in Urbana, Illinois. Affectionately known as “Chief,” Dr. Bradley served in the U.S. Air Force and received an honorable discharge. He earned an advanced associate’s degree in Municipal Fire Protection from Oklahoma State University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Response Administration. He then completed a Master’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and went on to earn his doctorate in Occupational Safety and Health with honors from Capitol Technology University.
From 2004 to 2014, Chief Bradley completed tours in Ecuador, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait as a contract/combat firefighter. Notably, he became the first and youngest African American Fire Chief of Prevention/Operations for the entire country of Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. He also held the title of Regional Fire Chief for central Iraq, again as the youngest to do so. His professional credentials include being a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) through the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) and a Member of the Institute of Fire Engineers (MIFireE). He is also affiliated with the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Oklahoma State Fire Chiefs Association, International Association of Black Professional Firefighters, National Fire Protection Association, and the Black Chief Officers Committee.
In 2020, Chief Bradley was recognized by the National Fire Heritage Fire Center as a “Who’s Who?” in Fire Protection for his significant contributions to the fire service, both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Bradley has consistently excelled in academics and sports. He was an honor roll student throughout high school and graduated with National Honor Society status (Magna Cum Laude). He won two state championships as a football player at Carl Albert High School and even took a break from sports to win a state championship with the chess team. After graduation, he was awarded an academic scholarship to Rose State College, where he pursued his firefighting career and attended the Department of Defense’s Louis F. Garland Fire Academy.
His resilience and success are rooted in humble beginnings, growing up in housing projects, trailer parks, and challenging environments, including overcoming family struggles with addiction and abuse. Despite these obstacles, Dr. Bradley chose to define his future on his terms. His drive and passion for helping others have made him a visionary leader. He was recently recognized internationally as a credentialed humanitarian and Ambassador by the Global Goodwill Ambassador organization (GGA).
Dr. Bradley continues to impact communities through his non-profit organizations: “Prosperitus Humus” (International Philanthropy), “Planned Purpose Mentorship Program” (youth mentoring and feeding the homeless), and the “Blue Circle Group” (advocacy for military veterans on a national scale). He is a proud husband, father, and pillar in both local and global communities, continuously serving as a visionary and a voice for the underrepresented.
Notable Awards and Recognitions
- Chief Fire Officer Credential (CFO) CPSE – 2020
- Member of the Institute of Fire Engineers (MIFireE) – 2020
- Global Goodwill Ambassador Credential/Designation – 2020 (Humanitarian)
- Chief Officer of the Quarter – Vance Fire Department (2019, 2020)
- Recognized for Excellence by the 19th Air Force
- Omega Nu Lambda – Inaugural Member
- The National Society of Leadership and Success – Inductee
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Medal
- Air Force Training Ribbon
- KBR Fire and Emergency Services Award – Doer of Deeds
- Kellogg Brown and Root Employee Safety Award
- Distinguished Unit Award – Tinker Air Force Base
- Awards from U.S. Marshals (U.S. Embassy Iraq)
- Awards from the Department of State (Prosperity Site Annex Iraq)
- Awards from Task Force Safe Fire (Theatre Fire Chief for DoD Iraq)