Matt Machala

Past Chief - College Park VFD Co. 12, Battalion Chief - Montgomery County, MD

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

MCFRS will be hosting our first ever training and leadership conference in October. If you have a presentation that you feel even loosely fits into one of the focus areas, please consider submitting a proposal to present.

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

Had some great conversation with folks from the @FCSNnational and @SylvesterCancer on Tuesday as they lead the charge in the fight against firefighter cancer. Thank you again for your time and for your work!

[Pete Piringer @mcfrsPIO]

Cancer is fire service’s greatest health threat. @mcfrs talks w/ Dr. Alberto Caban-Martinez & Dr. Natasha Schaefer Solle, U of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center; Steve Weissman, Firefighter Cancer Support Network RE latest evidence-based research https://t.co/Wuhcplyqil

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

We have reached a point in the fire service where many of our new members/recruits were not yet born on 9/11/01. Make sure they understand and never forget. #RFB

https://t.co/vppdaWQmNG

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

Don't be afraid of the bumper line... Spec it correctly, put the correct hose and nozzle on it and you have nothing to worry about. On final inspection this bumper discharge plumbed with 2.5" piping flowed 574 GPM at 150 psi from draft.

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

@fyreman2006

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

This above photo for reference and from a different fire in a true 1940's vintage, Type III SFD. I had command, the fire appeared to be on the first floor when it originated between the floors. 1st engine did an excellent job recognizing and communicating this once inside.

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

Not the way you "want" to end up in Firehouse Magazine, but thankfully it just ended as a learning experience and not something much worse. 11 years ago driving the wagon for an early morning first due fire after a snow/ice storm. https://t.co/kIqMo5uR7L

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

Since, I have been to several fires in structures I would consider "stable" under fire conditions due to their construction that have had significant floor instability/collapse due to fire between the basement and 1st floor. Remember the basics and expect the unexpected.

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

Unspeakable tragedy in the Bronx today. Yes we need to advocate for sprinklers, strict fire code, etc but this incident shows the need for a well trained, properly staffed fire dept will never go away. Where humans exist there will always be a need for a last line of defense.

[Lloyd Mitchell @Lloydphoto]

Photos:A high rise fire left fifty people with serious injuries on Sunday morning on East 181 Street in the Bronx. The cause Is under investigation. #LloydMitchellPhotography #Bronx #FDNY #FDNYEMS #firefighting #fireservice #photojournalism #journalism

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

@stoolpresidente Hope you went to Stan's Chitchs in Bound Brook while you were close by. An area institution just like DeLucia's. Best bar pie around.

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

@fyreman2006 A priority 3 patient is literally the last person I would be taking to the hospital in piece of heavy apparatus...

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

What kind of exposure problem is a several hundred foot tall/long tower crane? One of the many hazards presented by a large wood frame under construction that I never gave much thought to until yesterday... How long will it stand? Where will it go if/when it fails?

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

Thanks @DFletchtwo for bringing up attached garage fires in wood frame SFDs during the conversation about "outside-in" fires on @fireengineering podcast yesterday. That was a misunderstood fire for a long time.

[College Park Volunteer Fire Department @CPFD]

***Save the Date***

The 2021 CPVFD Golf Tournament will be played on Monday October 18th, 2021 with a 0800 shotgun start at the University of Maryland Golf Course! See the Facebook event linked below. More details to follow in the coming weeks!

https://t.co/RUkNkBkIlL

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

Stop presenting your opinions on fire dept related matters as fact, online. A very impressionable, social media driven generation of firefighters are watching. If you don't know something to be fact, it is your opinion, call it that. "Someone told me once" doesn't make it so.

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

Coming from a true old school Fire Chief, that was pretty awesome. I truly hope the fire service continues to embrace people like Nick who don't care about pay status, check lists or white shirts, just doing the job (in a button down and boat shoes most of the time). RIP VOC.

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

Nick was the definition of a Fire Chief. When Nick was in charge, he was truly in command and everyone knew it. I saw Nick in passing many times on fires, etc. but the one personal memory I have was being told, "Nice job son" in relation to commanding a fire by Nick.

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

Thankful we don't throw anything out. Spent a lot of time in this firehouse in the last 14 years and I still manage to find cool stuff.

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

@Kiel_Samsing An effective firefighting model is built on redundancy. "Most" fires don't require the backup line to flow water but we still stretch it. Using tank water+laying in vs not, are not mutually exclusive. Too many variables. Moral of the story, don't be afraid to use your tank water.

[Matt Machala @mmachala12]

As an 18 year old firefighter in the same County (small town NJ) when this happened, it certainly helped bring reality into the job for me. A firefighter my age, in my area, killed making a truly heroic rescue attempt. #RFB

[Billy Goldfeder @BillyGoldfeder]

4-11-2006: Remembering Foreman/ Firefighter Kevin Apuzzio-East Franklin, NJ LODD while attempting a rescue of a trapped woman in a dwelling fire. Reports, Video etc: https://t.co/rp3XTWG966 @EastFranklinFD #eastfranklin #kevinapuzzio #firefighter #LODD #hero #NewJersey #RIP