My name is Jack W Miller Jr, and I have been involved in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter since the age of 16. As soon as I was old enough, I joined the SouthFork Volunteer Fire Department, SouthFork, PA in November 1971. My father and grandfather were both life members of the SouthFork VFD.
After getting married, to Zola Garland of Portage in 1975, I moved to Portage in the same year. In November 1976, when I turned 21 years of age, I transferred my membership from SouthFork VFD to Portage VFD. Since joining the PVFD I have held the rank of ( at the time) 2nd LT, 1st LT and Capt, I am also a past President and Secretart of the PVFD. For the year 2000, I held the rank of LT.
I guess my interest, railroading and firfighting, have alot to do with my past. My grandfather, Robert Parke Sr, was a engineer/fireman for the Conemaugh & Blacklick Railroad, a small line that worked Bethelehem Steel at it's Johnstown PA plants, and I lived along the 4 track Pennsylvania Railroad in SouthFork, PA and along the Western Maryland Railroad in Chambersburg, PA, while growing up. In 1974 I was hired by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad/Chessie System as a brakeman and later being promoted to Conductor, before being furloughed in 1982. I worked on the Pennsylvania Sub-Division which extended from Cumberand,MD to New Castle,PA although I worked mostly in Johnstown, PA and Somerset, PA areas of division. After being furloughed, I went to the Municipal Police Training Academy at Johnstown Vo-tech, Johnstown, PA. Upon graduated, I became a police/fire/ems dispatcher for the Mainline Police Ass'n in Ebensburg,PA. I since have worked for several police departments as a part-time police officer. In 1993 I was hired as a dispatcher for the Cambria County 9-1-1 Center for about 3-1/2 years. I returned to policing after leaving 9-1-1. During this time, I was active with the fire departments I belonged to. Thus my interest in railroading and firefighting.
My father Jack W. Miller Sr is an active memeber of the Independent Live Steamers as you will see, when you check out the ILS pages.
I am married, to a wonderful women Zola, for the past 25 years. I have two son's, Jamie and Matthew, and a daughter Misty. Enough about me, check out the pages and links connected with them below and enjoy your visit.
Jack passed away on August 18, 2001. He was the one who got the websites started for the Independent Live Steamers and the Portage Volunteer Fire Department. |
