Submitted by Westfield Fire Department
The Westfield Fire Department (WFD) announces the following promotions:
Nicholas Southerland to the merit position of Captain, effective Aug. 22, 2025.
Captain Southerland brings an impressive 24 years of firefighting experience to his new role, including his service as an Army firefighter. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Fire Service Administration, he combines extensive management and leadership experience to lead effectively. A lifelong resident of Westfield, except for his five years of military service, Captain Southerland resides in the community with his wife, Nicole, and their three daughters, Kennedy, Adison, and Reese.
“I am excited about the additional responsibility and continued opportunity to learn in this position,” Captain Southerland said. “I am also honored to follow in my dad’s legacy at WFD and proud to work for the same department as my brother.”
Captain Southerland’s promotion carries personal significance, as he follows in the footsteps of his father, Gary Southerland, a retired Operations Chief for WFD, who died from a line-of-duty cancer in 2020. Both of Gary’s sons have continued his legacy of service as firefighters with the department.
WFD congratulates Captain Nicholas Southerland on his well-deserved promotion and looks forward to his continued contributions to our community.
Josh Southerland to the merit position of Lieutenant, effective Aug. 22, 2025.
With 18 years of experience, Josh Southerland has been promoted to the merit rank of Lieutenant. He brings a wealth of knowledge with his associate’s degree in Fire Science, bachelor’s degree in Fire Service Administration, and near completion of his master’s degree in Fire Executive Leadership/Public Administration.
Lt. Southerland is also very active within the fire service organizations. Some of his participation includes the Truman Fire Forum as a meeting facilitator, National Fire Service Research Agenda 2021 as a facilitator, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Life Safety Summit 2022 as a planning team member, U.S. Fire Administrators Summit on Fire Prevention and Control focusing on firefighter cancer, 2023 U.S. Fire Administrators Summit on Fire Prevention and Control as a planning team member, Firefighter Life Safety Summit 2024 as a facilitator, and World Fire Congress 2024 as a planning team member.
The Community Service award and the Distinguished Service award have been presented to Lt. Southerland for his service to the community and the department.
“This promotion is about honoring the traditions of the fire service, carrying on the responsibility that comes with the badge and rank, along with carrying the legacy of those who have come before me,” Lt. Southerland said. “Frank Viscuso said, ‘Fancy titles or bars on your collar do not make you a leader. Leadership is determined by the amount of people you inspire, encourage, motivate, improve, and serve.’ I don’t want to be known or remembered for just having a fancy title.”
A lifetime resident of Westfield, Lt. Southerland continues to live in Westfield with his wife Christi, daughters Makayla and Casey. His brother, Captain Nick Southerland, also works for the Westfield Fire Department, both following in the footsteps of their father, Westfield Fire Department, Deputy Chief Gary Southerland (deceased).
WFD wishes Lt. Southerland continued success in his career as well as his continued contributions to the fire service.
Andrew Miller to the merit position of Merit Captain, effective Aug. 22, 2025.
Captain Andrew Miller has 18 years of experience in the fire service, nine of which are with WFD. His current appointed position is the Shift Training Officer (STO) on A-shift where he will remain and continue assisting with the ongoing training of the shift personnel and acting as the safety officer on emergency runs. In addition to his firefighting role, Captain Miller is also a paramedic with the department, which he completed in 2012.
Captain Miller has also completed his associate’s degree in Fire Science and Safety Technology from Vincennes University.
“In addition to providing training and education at the shift level,” Captain Miller said, “I am excited to continue to learn myself.”
A resident of Burlington, Ind., Captain Miller lives with his wife Stephanie, stepdaughters Kyndra, Lexi, and Jaslynn, as well as dogs Emma and Chief.
Division Chief Don Anderson to the merit position of Captain, effective Aug. 22, 2025.
Division Chief Anderson, recently appointed to the position of Division Chief of Safety and Training, has also been promoted to the Merit rank of Captain.
Notes:
*Appointed positions are determined at the will of the Fire Chief.
**Merit positions are determined through a competitive testing process and achievement of required certifications.