Charles R. Gladman began his career with the Akron Fire Department in 1973 as a firefighter. He was promoted to Lieutenant and company officer in 1979.

In 1986 he was promoted to Captain and assigned to the Fire Training Academy as a training officer. He was promoted to District Chief in 1990, in charge of the Fire Training Academy. This assignment included training of new recruits; daily training of the entire fire department; administration of the apprenticeship program; and officer development. Pre-planning fire training needs for the Akron Fire Department was also included in this assignment.

Chief Gladman was appointed Deputy Chief in 1992, in charge of the Fire Training Academy, Emergency Medical Services Bureau and Fire Prevention Bureau. He received his Associate Degree in Fire Science from the University of Akron in 1977.

Gladman successfully completed the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program in 1995; and Mayor Plusquellic appointed him Akron’s 15th Fire Chief on April 11, 1997.

Charles R. Gladman retired from the Akron Fire Department in 2007 and passed away in January of 2008.