Matthew Ruegsegger

Hazardous Materials, Emergency Response & Regulatory Compliance Leadership

• Lead regional operations supporting chemical, radiological, and nuclear hazard detection and response across 11 states; serve as senior SME for hazardous materials behavior, detection, threat assessment, and consequence management.
• Ensure compliance with DHS requirements, OSHA HAZWOPER standards, and applicable environmental and hazmat regulatory frameworks; maintain, audit, and oversee lifecycle management of multimillion-dollar detection systems, sensors, and atmospheric monitoring equipment.
• Interpret and apply 49 CFR-aligned detection, packaging, and hazard classification standards to ensure accurate identification, safe handling, and compliant movement of hazardous substances across diverse operating environments.
• Track regulatory changes, evaluate impacts to field operations, and update program policies, SOPs, and equipment standards accordingly.

Incident Response, IC Coordination & Post-Incident Investigation

• Serve as regional technical authority during hazardous materials events, coordinating with federal, state, tribal, and local first responders, environmental authorities, and emergency management agencies.
• Conduct root-cause analysis, develop corrective action plans, and provide technical guidance on mitigation strategies, plume behavior, detection limits, and environmental risk reduction.
• Maintain relationships with emergency response organizations, participate in regional drills, and lead joint training designed to improve multisector emergency readiness.
• Member of the South Jersey Hazmat Working Group.

Hazmat Training, Certification & Field Instruction

• Master Training Specialist and HAZMAT Technician responsible for developing and delivering hazmat, CBRN, and emergency response training to federal, state, and local partners.
• Train and certify personnel conducting hazardous material handling, hazard recognition, air monitoring, and sensor deployment in alignment with CFR, HAZWOPER, and ICS requirements.
• Developed the MDDP Hazmat/CBRN Field Guidebook used for just-in-time operational reference, improving operator proficiency and reducing safety violations.

Operational Safety, Inspections & Risk Management

• Conduct on-site inspections of facilities, equipment, detection platforms, and operational environments to verify safe handling, proper use of detection equipment, and adherence to safety requirements.
• Perform risk assessments analyzing incident trends, sensor failures, leaks, and near-misses; develop risk-reduction strategies and oversee implementation of corrective actions.
• Provide technical recommendations that guided acquisition of next-generation sensors, robotics, and environmental monitoring systems to reduce workforce exposure and improve hazard detection accuracy.

Policy Development & Regulatory Alignment

• Drafted chemical detection annexes, CONOPS updates, and interagency policy guidance aligned with national frameworks, NSPM-36, and Domestic CBRN detection doctrine.
• Advised industry partners (including petroleum/chemical terminals) on radiological and chemical emergency response doctrine, ensuring compliance with federal regulatory requirements and best practices.

Hazardous Materials Compliance, Safety Inspections & Environmental Oversight

• Conducted annual Ready for Operations (RFO) evaluations including hazmat readiness, equipment audits, environmental compliance checks, and full-scale chemical/radiological response exercises for multiple Coast Guard units.
• Oversaw safety compliance for 80+ operational assets across the Northeast, performing 20+ annual unit safety inspections assessing hazmat handling, confined space program compliance, hazardous atmosphere monitoring, PPE readiness, and regulatory alignment.
• Reviewed and updated safety policies including confined space entry, radiation safety, WMD response protocols, and program-level hazmat directives.

Emergency Response & ICS Leadership

• Certified HAZMAT Technician, ICS Operations Section Chief, and Safety Officer supporting large-scale spill response, chemical release scenarios, weapons of mass destruction incidents, and radiological emergencies.
• Led joint USCG/partner agency HAZMAT/CBRN exercises, coordinating four national Special Response Teams and managing multi-agency emergency operations budgets.

Operational Test & Evaluation; Technology Integration

• Spearheaded testing, evaluation, and acquisition of advanced atmospheric monitoring systems, WMD detection platforms, Level A suits, mobile robotics, and environmental sensors.
• Provided technical assessments to USCG Headquarters influencing national SOPs, equipment procurement, and program modernization.

Firefighting and Damage Control

• Ship board fire fighting Chief and instructor responsible for inspection and training of all firefighting equipment and personnel.
• Fire school chief responsible for training 2k annual recruits on all aspects of damage control including shoring, bracing, de-flooding, patching, and firefighting.