Columbus promotes two firefighters after retirement

May 19, 2026

Bryan Bailey. Photo courtesy of Columbus Fire Department.

Two Columbus firefighters are being promoted after a recent retirement.

According to the Columbus Fire Department, Lt. Bryan Bailey has been promoted to the rank of Captain, and Firefighter Ben Noblitt has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

Bailey is a 16-year veteran of the department. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2022 has served as the President of the Local 2190 Professional Firefighter Union, Pension Board Secretary, Fire Department Color Guard Team and Chairman of the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund.

Noblitt has served the Columbus Fire Department for 15 years. He also served as the Chairman of the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund.

Ben Noblitt. Photo courtesy of Columbus Fire Department.

The promotions went into effect Monday.

They come after the retirement earlier this month of Capt. Dave Dwyer after 47 years with the Columbus Fire Department.

Dwyer retired as the House Captain of Fire Station 2 where he oversaw three shifts. Dwyer held the position of Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Deputy Fire Chief and served for eight years as the Department Training Officer from 1992-1996 and again from 2015-2019.