Beyond the Sirens Team Members:
Meet the Squad

Hi there! I'm Mat! My desire to serve veterans, first responders, and their families has been shaped by countless years of service in emergency medicine, firefighting, water rescue, and the United States Marine Corps.

 

Throughout my career, I have witnessed the incredible resilience of those who dedicate their lives to protecting others, as well as the invisible burdens they often carry. Those experiences have fueled my commitment to supporting the mental health and well-being of those who serve and the families who serve alongside them.

 

My career in emergency services began in 2007 as an open water lifeguard. Over the years, I advanced through the ranks and was ultimately promoted to Lieutenant of the beach patrol. During that time, I earned numerous specialized certifications, including the Advanced Lifeguard Agency Certification Program (ALACP), Aquatic Rescue Response Team (ARRT), Personal Rescue Watercraft (PRWC), and Beach Emergency Vehicle Operations (BEVO). These experiences taught me the value of leadership, teamwork, and remaining calm under pressure in high-risk environments.

 

In 2009, I earned my Emergency Medical Technician certification and became certified as an Open Water Rescue Diver. I served on the Beach Haven Fire Department Rescue Diver Team and worked as both a volunteer and paid EMT for multiple emergency medical agencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I served as a hybrid medic, providing frontline emergency care during one of the most challenging periods in modern healthcare.

 

In 2014, I earned my firefighter certification and have proudly served as both a career and volunteer firefighter. Throughout my fire service career, I have had the privilege of serving in leadership roles, including Captain, while mentoring younger firefighters and helping build stronger, more capable teams.

 

Teaching has always been an important part of my career. I have served as both an EMT Instructor and Lifeguard Instructor and have been certified to teach a variety of programs, including Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC), Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP), CPR, Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), and numerous other emergency services courses. I have always believed that investing in education and training is one of the greatest ways to prepare responders for the challenges they will inevitably face.

 

I also had the honor of serving in the United States Marine Corps, where I earned certifications including Combat Lifesaver (CLS) and further developed the values of discipline, integrity, and selfless service. My military experience reinforced lessons that have guided me throughout my career and deepened my appreciation for the sacrifices made by service members, veterans, and their families.

 

While my professional experience has shaped who I am, my personal journey has shaped why I do this work. As one of the beyond the sirens team members, I live with PTSD, anxiety, and depression, just to name a few. I know what it feels like to carry the invisible weight that so many veterans and first responders bear. I understand the sleepless nights, the hypervigilance, the emotional exhaustion, and the tendency to convince yourself that you can handle it alone. I also know just how difficult it is to make the decision to ask for help. In professions where strength is often measured by endurance and self-sacrifice, reaching out can feel like the hardest battle of all.

 

The turning point for me was realizing that asking for help was not a sign of weakness, it was an act of courage. Seeking support allowed me to begin healing, and that experience fundamentally changed the way I view mental health. It gave me hope, reminded me that recovery is possible, and inspired me to help others find that same hope. Because I've walked that road myself, I strive to create an environment where people don't have to explain the culture they come from or feel judged for the struggles they're facing. My goal is to ensure every person who reaches out knows they are understood, respected, and never alone.

 

Today, my mission is to advocate for the mental health and resilience of veterans, first responders, and their families by helping create a culture where seeking support is viewed as a sign of strength rather than weakness. Whether someone is facing trauma, anxiety, depression, burnout, relationship challenges, or simply the cumulative effects of a career spent serving others, I want them to know there is hope. Healing is possible, and no one should have to face those battles alone.

 

For me, this work is more than a profession, it is a calling. It is a privilege to continue serving the communities that have given so much, and I am committed to helping our nation's heroes and their families find healing, resilience, and hope for the future.