Meet Firefighter/EMT Matthew Tauer

Where are you stationed?

Fire Station 12 (South Point Road) on the 'B' shift.

Why did you want to pursue this career?

My dad has been a volunteer firefighter for many years, and my mom was a part of the women’s auxiliary, so I grew up around it all. They would get me involved with department activities any chance they could. There, I interacted with the other members of the department too. I noticed how friendships not only formed there but outside the walls of the station as well, and I wanted to be a part of that. I definitely feel like I was "raised by a village."

What was your career prior to MFD?

Before working for MFD, I worked in professional motorsports. I did everything from keeping the race shop clean and helping mechanics to driving the haulers and helping set up the introduction stages at races. We would travel to a new location, set everything up, help coordinate the national anthem and the flyover, and introduce all of the racers to the crowd. I really enjoyed this job, and I was able to travel all over the United States and Canada. I also think that a lot of those experiences, having to work under time restrains and being able to improvise when a challenge came our way, really carries over to the fire service. Being able to rely on your past experiences or problem-solving skills can make a huge difference when you are at the scene of a call.

What do you like about your station and territory?

I really enjoy my crew out at Station 12. Everyone on my crew has at least 15 years on the job so they are very knowledgeable, and I’ve learned so much from them. They let me take the lead on a lot of calls so I can get the experience, and they give me feedback on how I did, which is really helping me grow as a firefighter/EMT.

Looking back at the recruit academy, what do you remember the most?

My favorite part of the academy was how everyone came together and really pushed each other to be their best. Our class blended together really well, and we created strong bonds for life. A highlight of the academy was being able to run Camp Randall’s stairs because that is not something anyone just gets the opportunity to do.

What are some professional goals you have for yourself?

My main goal is to always be improving. I would love to become an apparatus engineer in the future, but I am open to any opportunity that comes my way. Keeping an open mind has really opened doors for me in the past, so that is always something I try to be aware of.