In his almost 45 years at the Utica Volunteer Fire Department, Dan Matthews has come to some conclusions about what the department’s role in the community should be.
“I think we are there to help the community anyway we can,” Matthews said. “It’s more than fighting fires and medical runs.”
For the past 29 years, Matthews has led the department in its mission to support Utica as its chief. He officially passed leadership to the next generation of volunteer firefighters on Jan. 8, but he isn’t about to hang up his turnout gear.
He is currently assistant chief and said he’s going to stay on for however long his health will allow. He has a passion for what he does, and it's been that way since Day One.