Canton Fire Department swears in first African American chief Canton Fire Chief Akbar Bennett (Source: Canton fire) By Tiarra Braddock | April 26, 2021 at 3:25 PM EDT - Updated April 26 at 3:25 PM CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - For the first time in 200 years, the Canton Fire Department has its first African American chief. The department’s new chief is Akbar Bennett. Monday will be a very special day for the Canton Fire Department. Division Chief Akbar Bennett will be sworn in as Fire...Posted by Canton City Fire Department on Friday, April 23, 2021 “Being a fire chief, we’re in the life-saving business,” said Chief Bennett.