Salem Fire and EMS Chief, John Prillaman, has announced that Captain Matt Rickman has been named the department’s new Deputy Chief, effective March 15. Prillaman vacated the Deputy Chief position on January 1 when he replaced Chief Pat Counts, who retired after 40 years of service to the city.
“Matt’s education, experience and training set him apart from the other candidates,” says Prillaman. “He has worked hard to prepare himself for the position, and I look forward to watching him excel in his new role with our department.”
Rickman joined the Salem Fire Department in the summer of 2005. He was named a Paramedic and Senior Firefighter in 2008 and in November of 2011, he was elevated to the rank of Captain and named the city’s EMS Coordinator.
“I am humbled and thankful for the opportunity to serve the City of Salem as the department’s Deputy Chief,” says Rickman. “The experiences that have been offered to me as an employee of the City of Salem Fire-EMS Department have allowed continual growth and development both professionally and personally. For that reason, I hope to give back to the public as much as this opportunity allows.”
Rickman earned his Bachelor’s degree at Radford University majoring in Biology with a Chemistry minor. He secured his Associate of Social Sciences in Fire Science degree from Virginia Western and his Master’s degree in Public Administration from Troy University. He also has completed three years of the four-year Executive Fire Officer Program.
Additionally, he has served as an emergency room paramedic, emergency health sciences skills instructor and a life support instructor for LewisGale Medical Center, Jefferson College of Health Sciences and Carilion Clinic Corporate University.
“In his role as our EMS Coordinator, Matt demonstrated his leadership abilities and he moved our department forward in our delivery of emergency medical care,” says Prillaman.
“My sincere hope is to be an example of the emergency services system that has been built in the Roanoke Valley over the years,” says Rickman. “The Fire-EMS training that is received beginning in recruit school, along with continuing educational opportunities with our public and private partners, are great tools to develop personnel.”
Rickman is a Botetourt County native who resides in Bonsack with his wife and their daughter.
