Matthew Watson Email & Phone Number

Madera, Ca, Us

Sacramento, California, United States

Since joining CAL FIRE at the Sacramento Headquarters as the Staff Chief of Operations in February 2023, I have been instrumental in administering Incident Management Team (IMT) oversight. In my role, I serve as a critical liaison between IMTs and Sacramento programs, fostering effective communication and collaboration. I take pride in leading the development, review, and maintenance of our Departmental Operation policy and procedure handbooks, ensuring they remain up-to-date and aligned with industry standards. My responsibilities also extend to directing strategic planning and budget development efforts. I work closely with Region Operation Chiefs to develop long-term goals with operational planning and resource allocation. Furthermore, I have the privilege of chairing and participating in numerous internal and external committees, boards, and working groups. I represent the department in discussions on fire protection operations and policy.Key achievements in this role include:• Overhauling outdated policy and procedure manuals to enhance operational efficiency and compliance.• Boosting IMT readiness by coordinating training and workshops and refining the IMT member application and roster process.• Playing a pivotal role in updating and executing the Strategic Plan to ensure alignment with departmental objectives, resource needs, and operational strategies.

Madera, California, United States

Division Chief CAL-FIRE Madera Division Operations, June 2018 - December 2022Assistant Chief – Serving as Fire Chief for City of MaderaAssistant Chief – Serving as Fire Chief for County of MaderaLiaison – Incident Command Team 6I oversaw State, County, and City fire resources. Managed a budget of $30M, directed over 200 firefighters, governed 23 fire stations, and controlled 75 pieces of fire apparatus. Managing construction of two new fire stations, increasing pay and logistical support for paid call firefighters and replacing emergency vehicles as required. Oversaw effective management and mitigation of emergencies, ensuring that emergency response personnel and equipment were response ready. I supervised the entire administrative program, preparing and monitoring multimillion-dollar budgets, hiring, training, assigning personnel, and developing and implementing fire prevention and safety programs. As Division Chief, managed operations of five CAL-FIRE state forest fire stations, overseeing 82 firefighting personnel and maintaining 10 engines, 1 dozer, multiple tractors and five transport vehicles, with a budget of $9.7M. Replaced 14 engines, 8 water tenders, 3 ladder trucks and 6 support vehicles and added six automatic aid agreements to improve regional fire protection.As Assistant Chief (Fire Chief for the City of Madera), managed operations for 3 city stations, overseeing 28 employees and maintaining 6 fire engines, 1 ladder truck, 1 UTV and 3 support vehicles, with a budget of $7M. Successfully increased staffing by 50%. As Assistant Chief (Fire Chief for the County of Madera), managed operations for 15 fire stations with 29 fire engines, 10 water tenders, and 2 ladder trucks, overseeing 51 full-time and 70 paid call/volunteer firefighting personnel and nine support staff with a budget of $12M. Successfully increased daily staffing by 183%As Liaison Officer, served as the point of contact for agency representatives for an Incident Management Team.

Madera, California, United States

I prepared and monitored development agreements to add staffing to the County Fire Department. I wrote and maintained grants and agreements with developers and casinos to provide funding for staffing and equipment, and I managed the Madera County Haz-Mat Team. I prepared and monitored a $7.8M budget, managed the Fire Training Program, and supervised the Training Captain and Madera County Schedule C employees. I also recruited, hired, and trained volunteer/PCF firefighters.• Established recruitment and retention program for paid call firefighters.• Collaborated with neighboring county to improve joint Haz-Mat Team participation and training levels, spearheading move of collaborative team to Type-1 Hazardous Material Response Team.

Madera County, California, United States

I managed and supervised fire station employees and provided daily 24-hour emergency response and incident management coverage. I helped develop budgets and served on multiple committees, including Special Operations, Grant, Safety, and Retirement.• Established personnel expectations to exceed department standard; previously, employees had not met grooming, training, or performance requirements.• Managed Madera County Haz-Mat Team as Hazardous Material Specialist and member since 1996.¨ Increased frequency of training for five fire stations and directed fuels management projects.

Madera - Mariposa - Merced Counties Of California

Played a key role in providing 24-hour emergency response and incident management coverage, Supervised State Forest Fire Station employees.• Increased frequency of training for fire stations and directed fuels management projects.• Planned and coordinated all aspects of Battalion Fire Prevention Plan, including vegetation management and hazard reduction projects.• Served on Merced and Madera County Haz-Mat Team as Hazardous Material Specialist.

Madera - Mariposa - Merced Counties Of California

Selected Additional ExperienceFire Captain Pre-Fire Engineering - Prepared and administered annual Fire Management Plan based on analysis of the Department's "Level of Service."Fire Captain Prevention & Station - Conducted Fire Safety Inspections and Cause & Origin investigations and prepared investigative reports. Responded to various types of fire and other emergencies as supervisor of engine company; was a member of the ARFF & Hazardous Material Team; organized and coordinated fire prevention activities and programs.Fire Apparatus Engineer - Responded to various types of fire and other emergencies as supervisor of an engine company; organized and coordinated fire prevention activities and programs.Firefighter - Perform duties of a firefighter as part of an engine crew to complete tasks as during fire ground operations and fire station duties.