Matt Hoppel
Park City,Montana
Summary
To serve as Corporate Relations Officer for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Dedicated public safety professional with 35 years of experience specializing in fire service operations, administration, emergency management, and organizational leadership. Extensive experience planning, organizing, and administering all aspects of fire department operations, including fire suppression, fire investigation, prevention, hazardous materials response, technical rescue, and Emergency Medical Services in alignment with the strategic direction of the City of Billings management team. Comprehensive knowledge of fire administration, public relations, equipment and fleet management, budget development, and policy implementation. Highly skilled in identifying, assessing, and mitigating operational risks and workplace hazards through effective corrective action planning, accident and injury analysis, policy development, safety program implementation, and employee training. Proven leadership and analytical abilities with a strong track record of continuously improving fire/rescue operations, firefighter safety, and emergency medical service delivery. Recognized as a respected public speaker and instructor at the local, state, and national levels, delivering presentations and training on firefighter safety, leadership, risk management, and emergency response best practices. Highly involved in organizations that advocate firefighter safety, health, and wellness, and the prevention of firefighter line-of-duty deaths, with a strong commitment to advancing national initiatives that protect emergency responders and improve operational safety culture across the fire service. Astute interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with career and volunteer firefighters, municipal leaders, community members, key stakeholders, union and non-union personnel, and the public while fostering a culture of professionalism, accountability, and service excellence.
Results-oriented achiever with proven ability to exceed targets and drive success in fast-paced environments. Combines strategic thinking with hands-on experience to deliver impactful solutions and enhance organizational performance.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Fire Chief
Billings Fire Department
01.2025 - Current
- Under general administrative direction, plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the Fire Department, including fire prevention, fire suppression, and the communications center; coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies; and provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Administrator. Have a very high degree of understanding of departmental and functional operations and work with considerable initiative. With senior management guidance, perform work requiring the development and implementation of department policy and procedure, and establish precedents within delegated areas of responsibility. The work product has a noticeable impact on departmental operations and a large impact on the overall City operation. Must exercise discretion regarding confidential matters, which requires considerable tact, a sense of timing, and the ability to engender trust. Incumbent provides management and leadership to all senior managers within the Department. Manage and participate in the development and administration of the Fire Department budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; and direct the preparation of and implement budgetary adjustments as necessary.
Assistant Fire Chief
Billings Fire Department
01.2018 - Current
- Under limited supervision, and as assigned by the Fire Chief, may oversee fire and EMS operations, fire prevention, grants, surveys, personnel issues, budgeting, and/or reporting processes of the Billings Fire Department. Duties require a high level of contact with, as well as the ability to present information to citizen groups, City Council, fellow employees, and public safety agencies in the community and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Fire Chief and the City Administrator.
Battalion Chief
Billings Fire Department
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Under general direction, to supervise, plan and coordinate the activities and operations of a shift platoon of several firefighting companies within the Fire Suppression Division of the Fire Department; Responsible for on-site command of fire suppression personnel, equipment and apparatus; Carries out routine tasks and related clerical duties for all policy matters to the Fire Chief; Coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies and the general public; and to provide highly responsible and complex staff assistance to the Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief.
Adjunct Contract Trainer
MSU Fire Service Training School
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Work with full-time staff and Regional Trainers to conduct fire training programs through the Montana State University Fire Service Training School.
Training Division Chief/Training Officer
Billings Fire Department
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Plan, develop, coordinate, and implement the services and activities of the fire department's training programs; to coordinate assigned activities with other divisions and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex staff assistance to the Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Chief.
Fire Captain (Acting)
Billings Fire Department
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Supervise, assign, review, and participate in the work of a fire company or station responsible for providing fire suppression, first aid, rescue, emergency medical treatment, and fire inspection and prevention services; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to the assigned area of responsibility. Responsible for the supervision and command of personnel, apparatus, and equipment in fire suppression. Utilizes independent discretion and judgment in the role of incident command during fire suppression.
Fire Engineer
Billings Fire Department
01.2007 - 01.2013
- Under general supervision, to respond to alarm and other emergency calls to protect life and property in the areas of fire suppression and prevention; responding to emergency medical calls; to drive, operate, and maintain fire equipment and apparatus; and to participate in fire prevention programs, inspections, station maintenance, and training activities.
Deputy Fire Marshal
Billings Fire Department
01.2003 - 01.2007
- Under general direction to perform a variety of fire prevention, investigation, and inspection work, including fire code enforcement, investigation of fires, and fire safety education.
Firefighter
Billings Fire Department
01.1998 - 01.2003
- Under general supervision, to respond to alarm and other emergency calls to protect life and property; depending on the nature of the emergency, provide basic life support, perform extraction and rescue, perform fire suppression and prevention activities. To participate in fire prevention programs and inspections, station and apparatus maintenance, and training activities.
Education
Bachelor of Science Degree - Fire Administration
Columbia Southern University
Associate of Science - Fire Science
Columbia Southern University
Numerous Classes - undefined
National Fire Academy
Numerous Classes and Certifications - undefined
Montana Fire Service Training School
P.O.S.T Certificate - undefined
Montana Law Enforcement Academy
Numerous Leadership classes - undefined
Leadership Courses - undefined
ICMA
Skills
- Executive Leadership
- Fostering Relationships
- Firefighting operations
- Interagency coordination
- Staff development
- Resources allocation
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving abilities
- Interpersonal skills
- Public speaking
- Strategic planning
- Workload prioritization
Affiliations
- National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Lead Advocate for Montana(NFFF)
- National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) (Inducted as a Fellow in 2025)
- International City/County Management Association Associate Member (ICMA)(2023-Present)
- State Emergency Response Commission Member (Montana SERC)(2026-Present)
- Congressional Fire Service Institute Associate Club (CFSI) (2020-Present)
- International Association of Fire Chiefs Active Member (2018-Present)
- Montana State Fire Chiefs Board Member (2019-Present)
- International Society of Fire Service Instructors (Immediate past Board Member)
- Montana State Firefighters Testing Consortium (Board & Immediate Past Chairperson)
- Montana State University Fire Service Training School Advisory Board (2018-present)
- Phillips 66 Refinery Citizens Advisory Committee (2020-2025)
- National Fire Academy Alumni 2004-Present
- Muscular Dystrophy Association liaison (2007-2018)
Certification
- BFD IFSTA Firefighter I & II
- BFD IFSTA Fire Instructor I & II
- BFD IFSTA Pumping Apparatus Driver/Operator
- BFD IFSTA Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
- BFD IFSTA Fire Officer I & II
- ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800
- BFD Officer Development Program
- ISFSI Live Fire Fixed Facility Instructor Credential
- ISFSI Training Officer Credential
- ISFSI Principles of Modern Fire Attack (Classroom/Hands-on/Train the Trainer)
- ISFSI Basement Fire Curriculum
- State of Montana Instructor Development Program
- BFD IFSTA Fire Service Instructor
- Hazardous Materials Technician
- Emergency Medical Technician
- BFD Battalion Chief Development Program
- IAFC Executive Chief Officer I, II, III
- Numerous other Fire Service Training Certificates upon request.
Timeline
Fire Chief
Billings Fire Department
01.2025 - Current
Assistant Fire Chief
Billings Fire Department
01.2018 - Current
Battalion Chief
Billings Fire Department
01.2017 - 01.2018
Adjunct Contract Trainer
MSU Fire Service Training School
01.2014 - 01.2018
Training Division Chief/Training Officer
Billings Fire Department
01.2013 - 01.2017
Fire Captain (Acting)
Billings Fire Department
01.2008 - 01.2013
Fire Engineer
Billings Fire Department
01.2007 - 01.2013
Deputy Fire Marshal
Billings Fire Department
01.2003 - 01.2007
Firefighter
Billings Fire Department
01.1998 - 01.2003
Associate of Science - Fire Science
Columbia Southern University
Numerous Classes - undefined
National Fire Academy
Numerous Classes and Certifications - undefined
Montana Fire Service Training School
P.O.S.T Certificate - undefined
Montana Law Enforcement Academy
Numerous Leadership classes - undefined
Leadership Courses - undefined
ICMA
Bachelor of Science Degree - Fire Administration
Columbia Southern University
Firefighter of the Year
Achieved Firefighter of the year in my first year of entering my administrative role in 2015.