Vij joined the London Fire brigade in 1983 serving at the capitals busiest fire stations including Brixton and Whitechapel. Promoted through the ranks he was involved with major projects and attending incidents including the City of London bombings and the Clapham junction railway crash. In 1998 Vij transferred to Nottinghamshire Fire Service on promotion as Head of Operations. In 2000 he was promoted to Assistant Chief Fire Officer of the West Midlands Fire Service, deputy Chief in 2003 and Chief Fire Officer in March 2009.Ü He was awarded an OBE in 2006 and has an MA in management.