01/16/2025
This week for our Meet Your Department series, we would like you to meet Engineer Matthew "Matski" Kowalski. Engineer Kowalski was born and raised in Sedalia and joined Sedalia Fire in 2019 after completing Sedalia Fire Departments annual Fire Academy. Certifications Kowalski holds are his Missouri Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety Fire Fighter 1, Firefighter 2, Hazardous Materials Operations, Hazardous Materials Awareness, National Car Seat Technician, and National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. He is in the process of obtaining his state certifications in Driver Core, Driver Pumper, and Driver Aerial. Kowalski also serves on the equipment committee for the fire department. The equipment committee serves to overlook the departments needs for equipment. They inspect equipment to ensure proper function and assign placement of equipment onto the appropriate apparatus. They also survey equipment needs and relay any concerns, needs, or ideas to fire administration for approval. Kowalski also serves as a department mentor for new recruits and hires to help them onboard.
Some career goals Kowalski has are to promote physical fitness and healthy habits for our fire personnel. Engineer Kowalski is making a push to continue his education both through state certification classes as well as obtaining a college degree. Kowalski plans to work hard and has a desire to promote into an officer position as either a Lieutenant or a Captain. He wishes to retire out of Sedalia Fire just like his Grandpa did.
When asked what got him into the fire service Kowalski answered that, "I have been around it [the fire service] my whole life. My Grandpa worked here for 30 years before retiring in 2002".
Kowalski states his favorite part of the job is that, "Every day is a new adventure and a new challenge. I get to help people on the worst days of their lives and that feels good to help.". Kowalski went on to say, " SFD is a brotherhood, you know, we are like a big family around here.". He is inspire to serve and finds motivation from a quote in one of his favorite books "The Book of Search and Rescue". The quote reads, "Exist to provide the public the best chance of the best possible outcome - this is the mission".
Hobbies - Kowalski enjoys building things and doing DIY projects. He also enjoys cooking and spending quality time with his family.
Favorite Food - Tacos
Fun Fact - After retiring, Kowalski wishes to open up a food truck or a restaurant in our community. It has been a dream of his for a while.