About the Chiefs

Chief Matt Matzl

847-391-5333
Email Chief 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
Back to top