Special to the Leader-Press
The City of Copperas Cove announced on Jan. 8 the appointment of Douglas Matthijetz as the new Fire Chief for the Copperas Cove Fire Department.
Chief Matthijetz brings more than 35 years of fire service experience to Copperas Cove, with a career spanning operations, administration, emergency management, and professional development.
He most recently served as the Deputy Fire Chief with the Corpus Christi Fire Department.
Throughout his career, Chief Matthijetz has demonstrated a strong commitment to organizational excellence, fiscal responsibility, and firefighter safety.
His experience includes managing an annual fire department budget exceeding $80 million, overseeing capital improvement projects and fire station construction, developing and revising departmental policies, and leading complex emergency response operations as an Incident Commander.
Matthijetz is a graduate of Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. He also holds a Bachelor’s in Applied Arts and Sciences: Emergency Management Administration from West Texas A&M University and an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science from Del Mar College.
His professional certifications include Master Firefighter, Fire Officer IV, Incident Commander, Fire Instructor III, and Fire Inspector. He has been designated as a Chief Fire Officer and Chief Training Officer with the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
In addition to his operational leadership, Chief Matthijetz has successfully secured more than $523,000 in grant funding for training and equipment, implemented department-wide career development programs, and collaborated with municipal partners on major infrastructure projects.
He has also served as an Incident Management Team reservist during statewide and national emergency deployments and as an adjunct instructor in fire science education.
The community is invited to a Swearing-In and Badge Pinning Ceremony on Friday, Jan. 23, at 10 a.m. in the City Council Chambers, located at 508 S. 2nd Street.
Chief Matthijetz will then assume his duties as Fire Chief effective Monday, Jan. 26, at which time he may be contacted at dmatthijetz@copperascovetx.gov or (254) 547-2514.
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