New Chapel Hill Fire Chief Matt Sullivan Discusses His Plans for the Position

After serving the fire department as the interim fire chief for over a year, Matt Sullivan knows the department is more than just him.

“This is definitely not about Matt Sullivan but this is about a group of tremendously talented people at the Chapel Hill Fire Department who have always served the community with excellence,” Sullivan said.

Removing the word ‘interim’ from his position, Sullivan said the change in title will reflect a change in the department.

“I think a lot of times when folks looked at interim, they thought that interim signified a future change,” Sullivan said. “And what I’d like to convey to our employees is that we’re going to make this change and that change sets us up for the future.”

Sullivan said he’s looking at a future that will adapt to new developments, types of buildings and the increasing density of the population. Sullivan said the solutions to these problems will come with teamwork.

“I’m not sure I’m smart enough to have all those answers, but I do know that I’ve got talented folks in the department and in this community who can help us with those answers.”

Sullivan has worn many hats throughout his career, giving him a unique perspective on how different departments work together.

“I actually started as a police officer, fire fighter, EMT. In 1988 I started as a public safety officer in the public safety system, and then when the police department and the fire department split, I stayed on the police side for about seven years.”

He earned a masters degree in social work, worked at UNC as the coordinator for substance abuse programs and eventually returned to the police force as a police social worker in the police Crisis Unit.

“I spent some time in the police department doing the victim’s work, went to law school as part of a mid life crisis, served as a police attorney, and then the took the emergency management position here at the fire department.”

That mid-life crisis law degree eventually pointed him back to his true calling.

“I don’t regret that step in my life at all. It was definitely a learning experience but I found this sort of role and this sort of work to be much more rewarding.”

Pursing his passion for service, Sullivan said his time leading the fire department will focus on utilizing the strengths of his team.

“I’ve had a lot of employees come up with some really great ideas, so in town we want to be creative and innovative and look to how we can improve our efficiencies in services to the town,” Sullivan said. “So to have the swell of support from employees has been really encouraging to me.”

Sullivan says he wants to reach out to all areas of the community to better solve problems and work through feedback.

“This community is changing shape and as we continue to grow and things change, our services have to change too. So we are in a position to engage not only our employees but other town departments, citizens and all of our stake holders in a conversation about what this looks like.

Sullivan’s duties also include developing collaborative, innovative leadership for the future, retaining the current staff and attracting new talent.