Matthew Knott to Become Green Bay Metro’s New Fire Chief

As announced on Monday (12/5), the Green Bay Police and Fire Commission has selected Matthew Knott, of the Rockford, Illinois Fire Department, to become Green Bay Metro’s next Fire Chief.

Chief Knott has 25 years of public service in career and volunteer fire departments, as well as law enforcement, currently serving as Division Chief of the Rockford Fire Department.

Chief Knott holds Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s of Science Degrees from Northern Illinois University. He holds Chief Officer certifications in the Fire and EMS fields from multiple credentialing agencies, including Chief Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence, he is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program, and a graduate of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Fire Service Executive Development Institute.

Knott has proven success in areas of firefighter and paramedic safety, community partnerships, and developing a diverse pipeline of applicants to the fire and EMS service. Through his focus on data-based improvement he helped lead his department to accreditation, across both fire and paramedic service, by the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

 “The Commission is very excited to have Chief Knott join our team and look forward to introducing him to the department members and community. The Green Bay Metro area was blessed with a pair of very strong finalists. Matthew stood out with his demonstrated results in driving continuous improvement within his department and championing collaborative partnerships across the community to solve systemic problems,” said PFC President Rod Goldhahn.

“We are pleased to welcome Matthew into our community to lead the Green Bay Metro Fire Department into its next chapter,” said Mayor Eric Genrich. “The members of our Police and Fire Commission take their responsibility of hiring our public safety leadership very seriously, and I trust they have made the right choice for the department and the community in naming Matthew our next Fire Chief.”

Chief Knott added, “ The Green Bay Metro Fire Department has a proud history and I am absolutely honored to be chosen as the next Chief. I look forward to working with the great men and women of the department and serving the citizens and visitors of Allouez, Bellevue, and Green Bay.”

Knott and his wife Jennifer have two grown daughters.