Kaiden Hartness is the newest career firefighter/EMT at the Milford Community Fire Department after a swearing-in ceremony Sept. 8.

Hartness took the oath of office inside the apparatus bay at Station 71 on Center Street, his hand raised and resting on a Bible held by a chief officer, with a fire engine behind him, the Clermont Guardian reported, citing the department's Facebook post. His badge was pinned during a separate part of the ceremony.

MCFD operates as a private, not-for-profit corporation contracted by the city of Milford, funded through a fire and EMS tax levy voters last renewed in 2019 at 17 mills. The department keeps a minimum of six personnel on duty at all times, including a shift officer, firefighters, paramedics and EMTs.

The department, led by Fire Chief Mark Baird, staffs its shifts with a mix of career firefighters and part-time or volunteer members.