Panel Approves Promotion of Veteran NM Firefighter to Chief

A nationwide search for Roswell's new fire chief has come to a close with the city selecting Matt Miller for the top job.

Miller, a 17-year veteran of the Roswell Fire Department, was unanimously approved by a panel of representatives from city administration, city council and a member of the Roswell Fire Department, the city said in a news release.

"Chief Matt Miller is an individual of exceptional character, a critical thinker and cares passionately about maintaining safety of the community and the department," Joe Neeb, Roswell city manager, said in a news release. "I am very excited about having Chief Miller on the city's executive team leading the fire department."

Since the end of August, when former RFD Chief Devin Graham retired, Miller has been serving as interim chief. Miller was one of 20 candidates from across the country who applied for the position and the only candidate to apply from within the ranks of RFD.

In 1998, Miller arrived in Roswell working as a professional horse trainer and horseshoer before joining the RFD.

Miller joined the Roswell Fire Department in 2003. After spending almost 10 years riding with RFD's fire trucks, Miller was promoted to deputy fire marshal in 2012 before his promotion to fire marshal in 2015.

"RFD is a very special and unique fire department," Miller said in a statement. "The fire service as a whole is unique and special. There is a family bond that cannot be described nor truly understood outside the fire service."

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