Huntington Fire Academy Receives Funding from Nate Mills Memorial Firefighter’s Fund

Community Impact

The Huntington Fire Academy recently received $500 in funding from the Nate Mills Memorial Firefighter’s Fund. Students participating in the program at the Huntington County Learning Center are passionate about becoming future firefighters. The donation will support their goal by funding student involvement in an upcoming firefighter convention in Indianapolis this spring. The convention will provide valuable hands-on learning and exposure to real-world firefighting techniques.

_{Susan Mills presenting a check to the Huntington Fire Academy}

“We are deeply grateful to the Nate Mills Memorial Firefighter’s Fund for this generous donation,” said Jason Meier, CTE Fire Academy Instructor. “This support strengthens our commitment to training the next generation of firefighters, empowering us to better serve and protect our community.”

Nate Mills, a 1991 graduate of Huntington North High School, began his career as a firefighter at age 19 with the Markle Volunteer Fire Department. To be able to make more runs, he also trained as an EMT. Because of his dedication and years of helping others, the State of Indiana named him a lifetime honorary EMT. In 2006, he joined the Fort Wayne Fire Department. Nate was passionate about helping others and loved being a firefighter.

_{Nate Mills pictured in front of Fort Wayne Fire Department truck (photo provided)}

After a three-year battle with cancer, Nate passed away on March 1, 2015, at the age of 41.

Susan Mills, Nate’s mother, established the fund at the Community Foundation of Huntington County to encourage firefighters to participate in as much training as possible, promoting her son’s belief that there is no such thing as too much training.

“At a time when fire departments, both professional and volunteer, are having trouble filling their rosters, it’s wonderful to see this class being offered to our young men and women,” said Susan Mills. “Nathan would be so proud to know that his alma mater is one of only a handful of schools in the state to make this available. We, his family, are thrilled to support this new class with a check from the Nate Mills Memorial Firefighters Fund.”

The Community Foundation is proud to memorialize loved ones through the creation of funds. Those interested in learning more about memorial gifts can contact our team.

For more information on the Huntington Fire Academy, also known as the Huntington Fire & Rescue Class, visit the Huntington County Community Learning Center website.