Posted on May 31, 2018 in
FORT BEND'S FINEST
Name: Matt Rios
Title: Missouri City Fire Marshal / Assistant Chief
Years of Service: 12
Family: Wife Sara and three boys ages 5, 8 and 10.
By Joan Frances
Matt Rios. Photo by Mary Favre.
• Why public service? After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army as an Infantryman, I still wanted to make a positive contribution to our nation and communities, so I became a firefighter.
• Greatest thing about your job: I enjoy being a leader. I have a really great team of arson investigators and fire inspectors. We assist in the building process of new businesses within our city and ensure the safety of the citizens through fire inspections and community risk reduction measures.
• What does a Fire Marshal do? I oversee a hardworking team that completes all new and existing fire inspections of businesses within the city. We conduct fire and environmental crimes investigations and assist in the Emergency Operations Center during activations.
• Inspiration: My family inspires me to be and do the best I can. My best friend’s father, Ron Brewer, taught me to always fight through the tough times and never give up on anything that you set your sights on.
• Hobbies: Spending time with my family – my boys are number one in my life. I enjoy coaching their basketball and baseball teams and acting like a kid alongside them. In my free time, I volunteer to help wounded veterans.
• Mural at the Missouri City Fire Station: I created the mural in 2007. I have drawn since I was a child, and I have always wanted to honor our fallen, whether in the fire service or the military, to keep their memories alive. It took 65 hours to complete.
• Guilty Pleasure? I love a good nap.
• One thing you want to share with the community:
Everyone in the Missouri City Fire and Rescue Services and Fire Marshal’s Office strives daily to provide a positive experience when we interact with the community. We are steadily training and evolving to be ready for the next emergency, and through fire code compliance, we have safer buildings within our city.
