On the eve of the seven-month anniversary of the accident which took the life of Bergen volunteer fireman and EMT Barry Miller, members of his hometown community gathered to dedicate a new ambulance in his honor.
“Barry Miller was always moving forward,” Bergen Town Supervisor Don Cunningham said during the dedication ceremony held Friday, April 22 at the Bergen Fire Department firehouse.
The new ambulance replaces the one lost in the accident September 23, 2015, which took the life of Miller while responding to an emergency call. Supervisor Cunningham said dedicating the new rig is the perfect motivation for the Bergen community to now move forward.
“It symbolizes closure and healing while carrying the same passion and commitment Barry had (for the Bergen Fire Department and EMS),” Supervisor Cunningham said.
He noted Miller has received many tributes since his death (Leadership Genesee created the Barry Miller Lifetime Achievement Award in his honor; he was named a 2015 Geneseean of the Year by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce; and in March was inducted into the Genesee Community College Alumni Hall of Fame) but the tribute of the ambulance dedication is the honor which comes from his hometown community, and likely would be the one closest to his heart.
“There have been many events recognizing Barry Miller,” Cunningham said, “tonight is a little bit different night … it’s a night of transition and celebration.”
He noted the April 22 ceremony was casual, as Miller liked to be, and located at the firehouse where Miller spent much time as a 31-year member of the Bergen Fire Department and EMS.
“It’s how I remember Barry,” Supervisor Cunningham said. “We’ve been through the suffering … we’ve mourned and grieved … some suffering may linger, but we have to move on.”
He explained that is exactly what Miller did in his own life, most notably following a devastating fire, which nearly destroyed his business, Miller’s Millworks in the village. “A small portion was saved,” Cunningham said, “Barry saw the small remains as an opportunity.”
Supervisor Cunningham said Miller would be thrilled with the efforts made by the Bergen Fire Department and community in obtaining a new ambulance. Barry must be saying, “You guys knocked it out of the park,” Cunningham said. “This dedication is a great tribute and I appreciate the effort behind it.”
Bergen Fire Department Deputy Chief Scott Crosier said dedicating a piece of apparatus in honor of a person is done only under very special circumstances, and recognizes Miller’s service, dedication and commitment to the Bergen Fire Department.
“It represents how he lived,” Crosier observed. “He represented the very best of what a volunteer firefighter and EMT should be. He was a leader, a mentor and a dear friend. He represented what we all should strive for.”
