Matt Porter
District Fire Chief - Shift Commander

District Chief Matt Porter joined the Des Moines Fire Department December 17, 1984. District Chief Porter started in the fire service as a volunteer in August 1981 with the Ankeny Fire Department, which he is an active member. Chief Porter served as a firefighter and a fill-in medic until 1990. Chief Porter was promoted to Fire Medic in 1990 and was assigned to Medic Six.

In 1994 Chief Porter was promoted to Fire Lieutenant and was assigned to the Training Division. Chief Porter was an instructor for the 85th and 86th recruit class. Chief Porter returned to fire suppression at Station 5 and Station 1 as a Lieutenant. Chief Porter was promoted to Captain in 1999 to lead and supervise Station 1, 3rd Division.

In March 2003 Chief Porter was promoted to District Chief/Fire Marshal. Chief Porter manages, directs and coordinates the operations and activities of the Fire Prevention Bureau.

Chief Porter has attended numerous classes from the National Fire Academy, I.S.U., University of Missouri, Kirkwood and Des Moines Area Community College. Chief Porter has extensive training and experience in incident management and command, hazardous materials, fire ground management and tactics, live fire training, confined space and bus and auto extrication.