Looking back, 1976 stands out as an especially difficult year in our department’s history. It was the year we lost one of our own—Assistant Chief Raymond Miller—a dedicated firefighter who gave his life in service to his community. His passing left behind a grieving wife and three young children, as well as a fire company forever changed by the loss.
Like every firefighter who answers the call, Assistant Chief Miller responded that night without hesitation, without second-guessing the risks that come with the job. In the midst of the blaze, he was struck on the back of the neck—right between his helmet and jacket—by an abandoned electrical wire. The tragedy was sudden, devastating, and deeply felt by everyone who served beside him.
The entire fire company mourned the loss of a colleague, a leader, and a friend. His sacrifice remains a poignant reminder of the dangers firefighters face and the courage they bring to every call. Today, we continue to honor his memory and the legacy he left behind.
