Our Founders
Ryan Miller
Ryan, originally from Port Williams, Nova Scotia, and a proud member of the Glooscap First Nation; served the Nova Scotia Fire Service for 15 years in various capacities. Today, he is a husband, son, brother, and father of two girls. He is also the President of The Allison Group of Companies and CEO of FireSafe Headquarters.
Ryan’s motivation to establish The FireSafe Foundation came from the heartbreaking reality of a close friend being diagnosed with terminal cancer—an experience that underscored the urgent need to do more for firefighter health and wellness.
“The fire service can do better—but it can’t do it alone. This Foundation can be a voice, a leader, and a champion of the ‘Do Better’ mindset. We have the means to help, so let’s help.”
rmiller@firesafefoundation.org
Joel Neily
Joel has dedicated over 15 years of service to the Nova Scotia fire service, volunteering in several leadership and technical roles, including Captain/Engineer with Hantsport Fire and currently serving as a Firefighter and Engineer 1 with the Kentville Volunteer Fire Department. He lives in Kentville with his amazing wife and their beautiful twin girls, who remain his greatest source of strength and motivation.
Joel’s commitment to The FireSafe Foundation is deeply personal. While courageously fighting a firefighting-related cancer, he is using his time, experience, and voice to advocate for meaningful change—championing fireground safety, improved decontamination practices, departmental policy evolution, and smarter equipment decisions to better protect current firefighters and the generations that follow.
“If sharing my story helps protect even one firefighter—or ensures one family doesn’t have to walk this road—then it’s worth it. We owe it to each other, and to those who come after us, to do better.”
jneily@firesafefoundation.org
jwalsh@firesafefoundation.orgJeremy Walsh
Jeremy continues to serve the Nova Scotia Fire Service as a Captain with the Kentville Volunteer Fire Department. He is a devoted husband, father, and friend.
Jeremy’s motivation to help establish The FireSafe Foundation is deeply personal. In 2010, he lost his father, Captain Richard Walsh, to a firefighting-related cancer. Today, that loss is compounded by the reality of a close friend courageously battling the same terminal diagnosis.
“The fire service has made incredible progress in supporting firefighters through improved health and safety practices—but we can always do better. With this Foundation, we strive to do better.”
tmiller@firesafefoundation.orgTiffany Miller
Tiffany grew up in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, where her passion for service began and where she started her career as a firefighter. Over nine years in the fire service, Tiffany gained firsthand experience with the physical and mental demands faced by firefighters.
Driven to expand her ability to help others, Tiffany later moved to Prince Edward Island to pursue a career in paramedicine. She served as a paramedic for seven years, further deepening her understanding of emergency response, occupational risk, and the long-term health impacts faced by first responders. After relocating back home, Tiffany stepped away from emergency services, taking time to reflect and recharge.
Today, she is excited to be re-engaged in the first responder community. This organization is deeply personal to Tiffany, as it allows her to support firefighter health and safety in a meaningful way and help make a difference for those who dedicate their lives to serving others.