Miller sworn in as VW fire lieutenant

Van Wert independent

A 14-year veteran of the Van Wert Fire Department was sworn in as a fire lieutenant during a ceremony held Wednesday in Van Wert City Council Chambers.

Mayor Don Farmer administered the oath to Fire Lt. Robert A. Miller on Wednesday. Miller was promoted to the position, effective Tuesday, according to Fire Chief Jim Steele.

Miller began his fire service career in 1993 with the Convoy Fire Department and was hired as a Van Wert firefighter in 1999 by Chief Steele.

The newly promoted fire lieutenant said he was looking forward to the challenges of his new position, but said he felt he was ready for the added responsibilities.

Lt. Miller is certified as a Firefighter 2 from the Ohio Fire Academy and obtained his paramedic certification from Lima Technical College. Lt. Miller is also certified as a hazardous materials (hazmat) technician, confined space rescuer and fire inspector and has completed additional coursework in swift water, ice and grain bin rescue techniques.

In preparation for promotion, Lt. Miller completed coursework at the 300 level of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Incident Management System and has also successfully completed the Fire Officer 1 program from the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association and the Hazard Zone Fireground Command class.

Lt. Miller is married and he and his wife, Vickie, have three children: Baylee, Chloe and Cole. He is also actively involved in a family grain farm operation and is an avid outdoorsman.