Matthew Kratz

Background

About Matthew Kratz

I’m a dedicated Firefighter/EMT and emergency management professional with over 15 years of experience in public safety, EMS operations, and disaster preparedness. My background spans both frontline response and leadership roles, with a focus on system coordination, interagency collaboration, and community resilience. I’ve served in regional EMS and emergency management leadership roles across South Central Pennsylvania, supporting agency development, EMS licensure, public health initiatives, and preparedness planning. I’ve led multi-county initiatives, facilitated large-scale training and exercises, and worked closely with local, state, and healthcare partners to improve readiness. I was also instrumental in launching the AVIVE 4-Minute Community initiative, deploying smart AEDs and engaging citizens in early cardiac arrest response. Academically, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and will graduate in May with a Master’s degree in Homeland Security with a concentration in Public Health Preparedness through Penn State. This academic and operational experience allows me to approach emergency services and disaster management with both strategic insight and field-tested perspective. Whether on-scene or behind the scenes, I’m committed to building systems that support responders, protect communities, and strengthen preparedness across all levels