Meet Firefighter/EMT Matt Flunker

Where are you stationed?
I’m currently at Fire Station 4 (Monroe Street) on the 'C' shift.

Tell us something about the territory you serve?
Station #4 is known as Bucky’s house and is located across the street from Camp Randall, so our territory includes a lot of the UW-Madison campus. There’s also a nice mix of commercial and residential areas. 

How has your previous education or work experience prepared you for the role of firefighter/EMT for the City of Madison?
I used to work in communications. I didn’t realize it when I applied, but talking to people is a huge part of working for the fire department. Being able to relate to people and clearly communicate with patients and coworkers is a key to success on this job.

What has been your most memorable day on the job so far? 
My second shift was a scorching summer day. We received a call for a child locked in a car during the height of the afternoon heat. It’s not something we train on every day, but everyone on the crew knew their role, and we had the door unlocked in seconds.  

What do you do when you're not working at MFD?
Outside of work, my wife and I love to camp and hike around Wisconsin and the country. Our son just turned one. It’s been fun introducing him to the outdoors. He likes dirt but is still pretty afraid of grass.