Muncie commission certifies 2026 recruitment list and appoints top candidate to fire department

The Muncie Fire Merit Commission certified the 2026 recruitment list and, during the same meeting April 9, approved an appointment from that list to fill a vacancy in the department.

Chief Burford told the commission that certifying the list "locks the list in" and that conditions of employment such as the ladder climb (a pass/fail event), PERF requirements and background checks remain components of any offer. A commissioner moved to certify the entire list as presented; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call.

Chief Burford then announced a resignation: Firefighter Miles Waters submitted a letter with a last day of April 26, creating an opening. He asked the commission to consider the top three names on the newly certified list and recommended Nimue Riemiller for appointment. The commission moved, seconded and approved Riemiller's appointment by roll call.

Burford described Riemiller as already working with the department as a civilian paramedic and said the department will place her into the recruit academy while she completes PERF, background checks and ladder climbs so she can join the current recruit class. "She's been with us for a while and does has been doing an amazing job," Burford said, noting the appointment is a "unique circumstance" that will accelerate the candidate's transition into a merit'appointed firefighter role.

The commission took no immediate action on the promotions list; that item remains under calculation review with IPSP.