Josh Flynn
Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, Ind.
(TNS)
Jason Miller officially took over the role of Logansport Fire Department chief Monday morning, Aug. 12, ready to help the department grow and move forward. He called being the new chief an honor.
“It’s a pretty humbling experience to be selected and I’m pretty excited,” he said.
Former fire chief Rick Bair stepped down during the Aug. 7 Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, choosing to become part of the fire and rescue program within the Century Career Center at Logansport High School. Bair called the decision one of the hardest he ever had to make. His final day with the fire department was Friday.
A Huntington North High School graduate, Miller has spent most of his adult life serving others. He has spent 22 years as a member of the Logansport Fire Department and previous to that was part of the Emergency Management Services when it was part of Logansport Memorial Hospital. He has also served as a volunteer firefighter for 24 years at Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department in Lucerne.
One of his goals as the new fire chief is to help the department move forward and keep up with the many changing technologies.
“Fires don’t burn the way they used to back in the beginning of my career with as many synthetics that are in homes today and the way they build homes now are more airtight,” he said. “Lithium batteries are a challenge that I think will be coming down the pipe real soon. We are starting to see in some bigger cities some of the dangers of Lithium batteries. We need to keep up with the times and technology.”
A 2023 “CBS Mornings” report said that lithium-ion batteries had been responsible for 400 fires and 49 deaths. E-Bikes and scooters were cited as a recurring problem.
Miller said the fire department recently received a car fire blanket — blankets that can be dragged over a car fire to help smother flames. But lithium batteries release oxygen when heated up, thus creating an environment for sustained fires that limit the effectiveness of a fire blanket on an electric vehicle. The blankets, however, can help contain a lithium battery fire and prevent smoke damage to the surrounding area.
When it comes to his firefighting crew, Miller called them very well-trained firefighters who are good public servants and take their jobs seriously.
“We work for the tax payers and we want to do the best job we can for them,” he said.
Miller said that one of the most important things he learned from Bair was that he should treat his crew as he would want to be treated. It’s an example that Miller has taken to heart.
Another challenge facing the Logansport Fire Department — and departments across the nation — is low recruitment. Miller hoped the fire and rescue program at the career center, and a potential program that has been discussed at Lewis Cass school board meetings, will help grow interest in firefighting careers.
“As far as our hiring pool, we just don’t have the amount of people that we used to have applying for public safety jobs,” Miller said. “Chief Bair and the Logansport School Corporation, they are trying this pilot program at the career center. I’m very hopeful that will help us in the long run.”
Miller encouraged anyone in need to reach out to him.
“I’m a phone call away if (anyone) has any concerns,” he said. “Don’t hesitate to reach out. Like I said, it’s the firefighters here who make it go around and do the everyday things and we’ve got a really, really good group of guys.”
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