Matthew Whiteshield began his career with the Margate Fire Department in 2000 and has served the community with distinction for over two decades. Throughout his career, he has held the ranks of Firefighter/Paramedic, Lieutenant, Captain, EMS Captain, and currently serves as Assistant Chief of EMS.

Matt was a member of the award-winning Vehicle Extrication Team, where he served as the Team Medic and was recognized as Best Lead Medic in 2005. He later served as Team Captain, further demonstrating his leadership and operational expertise.

A founding member of the Margate Firefighters Benevolent, Matt has served as its President for the past 15 years. In this role, he has led numerous community-focused initiatives to support Margate residents, including charitable outreach, family assistance programs, and partnerships that provide aid during times of need. His leadership has helped strengthen the bond between the fire department and the community it serves, reinforcing a culture of service, compassion, and civic responsibility.

Matt also brings an extensive background in EMS education, with more than 20 years as an EMS instructor across Broward and Miami-Dade counties. He has served as an instructor at Broward College and the University of Miami Gordon Center, and previously served as EMS Program Director at the Emergency Education Institute.

His career is marked by numerous honors, including multiple Firefighter of the Month awards, the 2014 Fire Chief’s Award, 2008 Firefighter of the Year, and the 2018 American Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year Award.

Matt holds an Associate Degree in Emergency Medical Services, an Associate Degree in Fire Science, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership, reflecting his commitment to both professional excellence and continuous growth.