Matt Coppin is the Lieutenant of Community Health and External Affairs for the Metro West Fire Protection District located in St. Louis County, Missouri. He is a graduate of Maryville University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Communications. Matt holds several certifications and professional credentials including Master Public Information Officer from FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Matt worked in corporate communications in the private sector prior to joining the fire service. He then performed the duties of a firefighter/paramedic before becoming a public information officer (PIO). Matt is now adept at managing media relations from his unique position of having experience as both a professional communicator and a first responder. He has worked as a PIO within the National Incident Management System for regional disasters, national conferences, and other large-scale events with high community impact. Matt manages the district’s public education programs and external affairs, focusing efforts on addressing the need for community risk reduction.
Matt is a longtime supporter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), serving the organization in several key leadership roles. He once attended a game in every Major League Baseball stadium during an eight-week road trip, knows all twenty-three helping verbs and places a high value on a quality meal shared with friends.