Chief Matt Matzl

Chief Matzl's journey through the ranks in the Des Plaines Fire Department has uniquely prepared him for his current role as Fire Chief. Starting as a Firefighter/Paramedic, Matzl's diverse experiences in every position within the department have provided him with an in-depth understanding of the challenges and responsibilities faced by his team. This comprehensive background, combined with his commitment to transparency and community service, ensures that he is well-equipped to lead the department with a focus on safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement. Matzl's leadership is grounded in the rich legacy of Des Plaines firefighters and is driven by a mission to serve and protect the community with integrity and dedication. 

Experience

• Firefighter/Paramedic, City of Des Plaines, October, 2001
• Bachelors of Science, Fire Service Management, Southern Illinois University, 2005
• Firefighter/Engineer, City of Des Plaines, 2012
• Fire Lieutenant, City of Des Plaines, 2018
• Battalion Chief, City of Des Plaines, 2020
• Deputy Chief, City of Des Plaines, 2021
• Masters of Science, Management and Organizational Behavior, Benedictine University, 2024

Deputy Chief of Administrative and Support Services Sam Foster
	Experience Firefighter/Paramedic, City of Des Plaines, March 2003 Dive Team Leader, City of Des Plaines, 2011 Fire and Special Operations-Instructor, Northern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy, 2009 MABAS-IL Task Force Leader, 2012 Division Chief-Training and Safety, City of Des Plaines, June 2020 Deputy Chief, City of Des Plaines, July 2021
Deputy Chief of Operations Joe Ciraulo
	Experience  Firefighter/Paramedic, City of Des Plaines, October 2007 Part-Time Fire Inspector, City of Des Plaines, 2012 Fire Investigator, City of Des Plaines, 2015 Firefighter/Engineer, City of Des Plaines, 2019 Fire Lieutenant, City of Des Plaines, 2019 Battalion Chief, City of Des Plaines, 2021 Bachelors of Science, Public Safety Management Southern Illinois University 2024