James U. Matz
Assistant Chief EMS, Fire Communications, & 911
York
Summary
Senior public safety executive overseeing EMS, Fire Communications, and 911 operations for the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD), a workforce of 1,644 members supporting one of the nation’s busiest fire/EMS systems. Provides strategic leadership for a system that manages over 235,000 emergency incidents annually, operating with 17 ALS medic units, 13 BLS units, and an annual operating budget of $65.8 million with revenues of $72 million. Recognized for advancing technology modernization, strengthening interagency partnerships, and improving patient care outcomes.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Critical Care Transport Paramedic / Operations Manager
Advanced Care Ambulance & Lifestar Response Corp.
- Performed inter-hospital critical care transports.
- Promoted to Operations Manager, supervising 250 staff.
Assistant Chief of EMS, Fire Communications, & 911
Baltimore City Fire Department
01.2023 - Current
- Provided executive oversight of EMS operations, Fire Communications Bureau, and the 911 call center serving over 640,000 residents.
- Directly manage 17 ALS units, 13 BLS units, and a workforce of 1,644 members.
- Oversee execution of a $65.8M budget while sustaining $72M in annual revenue.
- Ensure operational readiness for 235,000 annual emergency responses, the majority EMS-related.
- Led implementation of Next Generation 911 technologies, including AI-assisted dispatch and geofencing.
- Initiated telemedicine and nurse diversion programs to manage non-urgent 911 calls.
- Serve as Incident Commander for citywide emergencies, mass-casualty incidents, and major special events.
- Collaborate with hospitals, public health, and law enforcement to improve outcomes and coordination.
Deputy Chief of EMS
Baltimore City Fire Department
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Oversaw more than 340 staff, sworn and civilian, accountable for all EMS activities.
- Directed EMS division operations, strategic planning, and implementation of policies/programs.
- Developed Mobile Integrated Health–Community Paramedicine (MIH-CP) pilot programs.
- Built recruitment, hiring, and retention strategies to sustain workforce needs.
- Created and implemented quality assurance/quality improvement benchmarks for BLS and ALS clinicians.
- Established performance metrics on response times, staffing, and hospital turnaround to improve planning.
- Designed and led EMS education programs for both initial and continuing training.
- Built a data-driven, evidence-based EMS system that improved patient care and outcomes.
Battalion Chief – EMS, Billing & Community Outreach
Baltimore City Fire Department
01.2010 - 01.2019
- Assisted with EMS system administration and oversight of 340+ personnel.
- Directed three MIH/Community Paramedicine programs: Alternative Destination, Transitional Health, Minor Definitive Care.
- Secured $3M in state/federal grants to support opioid overdose initiatives.
- Competitively obtained $430K annually for expanded medical direction/QA and a $460K Innovation Award for FirstWatch.
- Directed EMS billing processes, improving reimbursement and ePCR compliance.
- Developed EMS performance metrics supporting annual budget planning.
- Coordinated with public/private agencies for data sharing and health initiatives.
- Organized interagency tabletop exercises (Mass Casualty, Ebola, Zika, etc.).
- Served in leadership roles for festivals, emergency planning committees, and task forces.
EMS Captain – Infection Control & Grants Management
Baltimore City Fire Department
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Managed 100+ personnel in EMS 2 operations.
- Oversaw Infection Control, ensuring OSHA, CDC, and state compliance.
- Transitioned BCFD from paper to electronic patient care reporting (eMAIS).
- Increased billing reimbursements from $900K (FY08) to $20M (FY18) through system improvements.
- Administered H1N1 vaccinations to all city public safety personnel.
- Drafted and implemented Medical Device Reporting Act compliance policies.
EMS Lieutenant/Instructor
Baltimore City Fire Department
01.2001 - 01.2007
- Supervised six ALS units.
- Served as primary ALS instructor for 170 paramedics.
- Oversaw certification/licensing of 1,400 department members across EMT-B, CRT, EMT-P, ACLS, PALS, BTLS, PEPP.
- Led migration from CRT to EMT-I certification statewide.
- Managed public education/training for CERT, MMRS, MRC, LEPC.
Lateral Entry Paramedic
Baltimore City Fire Department
01.1996 - 01.2000
- Provided ALS and BLS services across multiple high-volume medic units.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Fire Science Administration
Waldorf University
01.2023
Skills
- Executive Leadership in EMS & Communications
- NextGen 911 Implementation & Technology Integration
- Large-Scale Operations & Incident Command
- Fiscal Oversight & Resource Optimization
- Workforce Development & Retention Strategies
- Interagency & Community Collaboration
- Strategic Planning & Policy Development
Awards
MIEMSS Director’s Award for Excellence in EMS, 2018, Gaudenzia Opioid Epidemic First Responders Award, 2018, City of Baltimore “Most Collaborative Budget” Award, 2016
Affiliations
- International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
- Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association
- Maryland EMS Advisory Council
- National Association of EMTs (NAEMT), Paramedic Society, Instructor Society
Publications
- “Preparing for the Worst & Hoping for the Best: Pre-planning for Mass Gatherings,” Maryland EMS Care, 2017
- “The Medical Plan for EDM Festivals,” Maryland EMS Care, 2017
- “Baltimore Helping Baltimore: An Interagency MIH Partnership in Reducing Calls,” Maryland EMS Care, 2019
Training
- Paramedic: 900+ hours statewide (cardiology, trauma, airway, pharmacology, cadaver lab, etc.).
- CRT: 1,200+ hours, 92% student pass rate, covering cardiology, IV therapy, pharmacology, respiratory emergencies.
- EMT-B: 1,100+ hours, both primary/support instructor statewide.
- ACLS: 130+ programs taught and coordinated.
- PALS/PEPP: 20+ programs statewide.
- BTLS: 25+ programs, covering trauma management and critical interventions.
- CPR/BLS: 150+ programs for healthcare providers and the public.
Timeline
Assistant Chief of EMS, Fire Communications, & 911
Baltimore City Fire Department
01.2023 - Current
Deputy Chief of EMS
Baltimore City Fire Department
01.2019 - 01.2023
Battalion Chief – EMS, Billing & Community Outreach
Baltimore City Fire Department
01.2010 - 01.2019
EMS Captain – Infection Control & Grants Management
Baltimore City Fire Department
01.2007 - 01.2010
EMS Lieutenant/Instructor
Baltimore City Fire Department
01.2001 - 01.2007
Lateral Entry Paramedic
Baltimore City Fire Department
01.1996 - 01.2000
Critical Care Transport Paramedic / Operations Manager
Advanced Care Ambulance & Lifestar Response Corp.
Bachelor of Science - Fire Science Administration
Waldorf University
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