New fire chief takes over in Des Plaines

After weeks of preparations, new Des Plaines Fire Chief Matt Matzl officially took over the department this week.

Matzl, who had been the department’s deputy chief since 2021, was sworn in during Monday’s city council meeting. He’d been announced as the next fire chief in April, having been chosen by City Manager Dorothy Wisniewski after being groomed for the post.

With his wife and children standing behind him at the council’s dais, Matzl recited his oath of office with prompting from Mayor Andrew Goczkowski. Following applause and handshakes, Matzl thanked the council and city officials for entrusting him with the job.

Matzl then took a second to praise the men and women he’ll lead, saying they’ve been trained “to deliver that world-class service that residents deserve.”

Matzl has spent his entire career in Des Plaines, joining as a firefighter/paramedic in October 2001. He succeeded Chief Daniel Anderson, who retired after more than four years leading the department.

Also celebrating promotions Monday were Deputy Chief Joseph Ciraulo, who had been a battalion chief; Battalion Chief Michael Rioch, who had been a lieutenant; and Lt. Daniel Garhan, who had been a firefighter-engineer.

Additionally, Robert Chapman was sworn in as a firefighter-paramedic-engineer, while Dylan Lersch and Ryan Schelin were sworn in as firefighter-paramedics.

Goczkowski assisted all the firefighters with their oaths.

Supporters of the firefighters, some bearing bouquets of colorful flowers, filled the audience gallery for the ceremonies.