Members of Matthews Fire & EMS alongside town officials and community stakeholders, recently celebrated a year of significant achievements. The department, through its official social media platform, marked the culmination of 2025 with an appreciation for its members' dedication and multiple milestones attained throughout the year.
Chief Kinninburgh, in his opening comments as reported by the Matthews Fire & EMS Facebook page, mentioned that the department responded to over 4,500 calls, opened a new fire station, and successfully merged with the Idlewild Fire Department. The year also included comprehensive training efforts ranging from officer development to various rescue and response tactics.
The community also lauded the department for achieving an ISO Class 1 rating, which signifies top-tier fire protection and service delivery. This accomplishment sits highly esteemed within the infrastructure of public safety, demonstrating the department’s unwavering commitment to excellence.
The celebration was also an occasion to honor specific individuals within the department. These awards recognized the professionalism, dedication, and commitment that exemplify the spirit of Matthews Fire & EMS. The list of award recipients and their contributions, were published in detail on the department’s social media feed.
