Matt Thomas Helped Make Wishes Come True

When you ask Matt Thomas what kept him hooked to a career that lasted more than two and a half decades, the answer is simple: the people.

"Definitely helping people—and also the people you work with," he said. 

More than 30 years ago, Thomas set out to find a career where the work was exciting, thrilling, and could benefit others. He knew firefighting was the right fit. 

He began volunteering with the New Berlin Volunteer Fire Department in 1993. 

After a short time with the Greendale and Franklin Fire Departments, Thomas was ultimately hired to the Madison Fire Department on June 1, 1999.

During his time on MFD, Thomas served ten years as a firefighter, six as an apparatus engineer, and he was promoted to lieutenant in 2015. For the majority of that time, he was also a member of the Hazmat Team, spending 21 years serving in different capacities, whether on the core team or satellite team.  

He's been a familiar face on Madison's north side for the better part of the last decade.

"My stint here at [Station] 10 has been fantastic," Thomas said.

He also has fond memories of serving the south side on Ladder 6, where he says he served alongside great crews and responded to a variety of interesting calls. 

For Thomas, "giving back" showed up in ways beyond the emergency calls. For several years, he worked closely with the crew of Fire Station 7, in partnership with the Local 311 Hockey Club and Make-A-Wish Foundation, to invite kids fighting critical illness over for a fun firehouse meal and a tour of the fire trucks. They'd go on to participate in the opening ceremonies of the annual Fire On Ice Hockey Tournament. 

Thomas is also proud to have been a part of the design and development of the firefighter memorial now located outside Fire Station 14 on Dairy Drive. In 2021, Thomas (as chair of the Firefighters Memorial Committee) broke ground on the memorial along with MFD Administration and Fire Fighters Local 311, bringing years' worth of discussions and dreams to life. He credits the dedicated work by all members of the Memorial Committee for this accomplishment.

"To be able to honor our fallen and other members that worked here is a special accomplishment," said Thomas.

Thomas has also been a member of the Apparatus Committee since 2008. This afforded him the opportunity to get up close with the details of the MFD rigs and help the department decide what apparatuses to bring onto the front lines. 

"To learn more about the details and the ins and outs of fire trucks is nothing but beneficial for your career, especially as a driver," said Thomas.

Now he closes out more than 26 years on the department, grateful for having had the opportunity to served alongside people with whom he could share the good and the bad. He especially thanks his dedicated crew at Firehouse 10C, who've spent these last years of his career with him.

"Those times where you do make a difference, where you impact someone's life in a positive way—from utilizing CPR and now calling that person a 'survivor' to watching a new life being born—those were the very good times."