Matthew A. Gruca

With over 30 years of dedicated service in the fire industry, I possess a comprehensive background in emergency response, leadership, and operational management. I have advanced my expertise through continuous education and adherence to nationally recognized standards such as the NFPA and the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal. My experience includes serving as an Act-up Officer, Lieutenant, and currently as Black Shift Captain/Shift Commander, where I oversee daily operations, develop standard operating procedures, and ensure a high level of service quality. Additionally, my leadership in establishing and managing specialized teams, such as the MABAS 19 Water Rescue/Recovery Team, has demonstrated my ability to coordinate complex, high-risk incidents while maintaining safety and operational efficiency. These qualifications, combined with my commitment to professional growth, position me well to lead the Palos Heights Fire Protection District effectively.

To pursue a position as Fire Chief for the Palos Heights Fire Protection District.

• Emergency Response to Diving International
• Public Safety Diving Monthly
• Professional Association of Dive Instructors
• Professional Association of Dive Instructors Diving Society
• International Association of Fire Fighters
• Illinois Association of Firefighters Local 4254

• Vehicle and Machinery Operations - 2015-11
• Safety Officer - 2015-02
• Fire Department Health and Safety Officer - 2014-10
• Fire Department Incident Safety Officer - 2014-06
• Swift Water Technician – 2011-08
• Dive Technician – 2009-07
• Ice Dive Technician – 2009-07
• Surface Ice Technician – 2009-07
• Watercraft Technician – 2008-11
• Fire Officer II - 2007-06
• Water Operations - 2006-04
• Technical Rescue Awareness - 2002-12
• Rescue Specialist/Vertical I/Ropes and Rigging - 2001-02
• Rope Operations - 2001-02
• Fire Officer I - 2000-07
• Fire Instructor II - 2000-04
• Fire Fighter III - 2000-04
• Rescue Specialist Confined Space/Trench Rescue- 2000-12
• Fire Instructor I - 1999-06
• Rescue Specialist/Roadway Extrication - 1999-06
• Fire Apparatus Engineer - 1999-04
• Hazardous Materials Operations - 1999-06
• Hazardous Materials Awareness - 1995-10
• Fire Fighter II - 1995-10

• ERDI Underwater Vehicle Extrication Instructor - 2018-09
• ERDI Swift Water Instructor – 2011-11
• ERDI Underwater Crime Scene Instructor – 2011-01
• ERDI Contaminated Water Ops Instructor – 2011-01
• ERDI Surface Ice Rescue Ops Instructor – 2007-12
• ERDI Full Face Mask Ops Instructor – 2007-02
• ERDI Ice Diving Ops Instructor – 2007-02
• ERDI Dry Suit Ops Instructor – 2007-02
• ERDI Instructor – 2006-11 (1000 Students Certified)
• LGS Swift Water Rescue Technician – 2009-09
• SDI Dry Suit Instructor – 2005-12
• SDI Open Water Scuba Instructor – 2004-01
• PADI Swift Water Rescue Technician - 2007-09
• PADI Ice Diver Instructor – 2007-05
• PADI Dry Suit Instructor – 2005-09
• PADI Aware Coral Reef Conservation Instructor – 2001-07
• PADI Project Aware Instructor - 2001-06
• Peak Proformance Buoyancy Instructor - 2001-06
• PADI Open Water Instructor - 2001-06

• April 8th, 2016 Palos Heights Fire Protection District Unit Citation: Unit Citation For: Residential Fire, the crew arrived at 6244 W 128th St to find a working fire in the kitchen of a residence. The crew quickly initiated an aggressive interior attack and quickly extinguished the fire.
• October 28, 2015 Palos Heights Fire Protection District Unit Citation: Unit Citation For: The successful resuscitation of a resident who was found in cardiac arrest.
• September 1, 2015 Palos Heights Fire Protection District Unit Citation: Unit Citation For: The crews actions on the scene of a child struck by an auto at Oak Park Ave & Onekema.
• February 7, 2015 Palos Heights Fire Protection District Unit Citation: Unit Citation For: The crews actions in the successful resuscitation of a resident who was found in cardiac arrest.
• April 15, 2014 Palos Heights Fire Protection District Unit Citation: Unit Citation For: The crews actions at a working fire in a multiple tenant townhouse. On arrival with heavy fire showing on the second floor unit, they quickly deployed multiple hose lines and quickly suppressed the fire, and limited it to the unit of origin.
• July 7, 2009 Palos Heights Fire Protection District Unit Citation: Unit Citation For: Actions in successfully resuscitating a patient in cardiac arrest. Acting Company Officer Gruca and his crew successfully resuscitated a patient in cardiac arrest. Additionally, the crew was awarded a Letter of Recognition from the South Cook County Emergency Medical Services System for their excellent prehospital care and successful resuscitation of this patient.
• May 13, 2009 Palos Heights Fire Protection District Unit Citation: Unit Citation For: Actions in assisting the Crestwood Fire Department at a residential structure fire with the report of a possible victim. While acting up as a Company Officer, FF/PM Gruca assumed Incident Command, requested additional Alarms, directed Fire Apparatus Units, and directed Fire Suppression/Search & Rescue companies on the Fire Scene. Ultimately crews were directed to remove a victim, perform CPR until the arrival of an ambulance, and extinguish the structure fire.
• April 23, 2009 Palos Heights Fire Protection District Unit Citation: Unit Citation For: The crews actions in successfully resuscitating a patent in cardiac arrest. The crew was also awarded a Save Letter from the South Cook County Emergency Medical Services System for their excellent prehospital care of this patient.
• February 20, 2009 Palos Heights Fire Protection District Unit Citation: Unit Citation For: The crews actions in assisting the Crestwood Fire Department in the early morning hours at a residential fire which resulted in the death of an occupant. While acting up as Company Officer, FF/PM Gruca assumed Command, requested a Full Still and directed units on scene.

• 2010-05, Composed, applied for, and was awarded a AFG Grant for the MABAS 19 Water Rescue & Recovery Team in the amount of $182,000.00 to purchase Surface Supplied Air Systems, Dive Data Recorders and Laptop Computer with Printer. The Grant also included Swift Water Suits for Swift Water Technicians and Cold Weather Flotation Suits for members to wear in the winter months.
• 2011-11, Composed, applied for, and was awarded a Sam’s Club Grant for the MABAS 19 Water Rescue & Recovery Team in the amount of $1,000.00 to purchase Depth Gauges to be used with surface supplied air systems.
• 2011-09, Composed, applied for, and was awarded a Community Service Wal-Mart Grant for the MABAS 19 Water Rescue & Recovery Team in the amount of $500.00 to purchase Depth Gauges to be used with surface supplied air systems.

• Fire Department Instructors Conference – 2024-04
• Fire Department Instructors Conference – 2023-04
• Fire Department Instructors Conference – 2022-04
• Traffic Incident Management Awareness – 2009-02
• Fire Department Instructors Conference – 2003-04 Firefighter Safety and Survival
• Fire Department Instructors Conference – 2003-04 Team Search
• Fire Department Instructors Conference – 2003-04 It’s Not OK to Die in Structure Fires
• Fire Department Instructors Conference – 2003-04 RIC Success in LA County: How We Did It
• Fire Department Instructors Conference – 2003-04 Rapid Intervention Team: Advanced Search Procedures
• Fire Department Instructors Conference – 2003-04 Common Sense on the Fire Ground
• Fire Department Instructors Conference – 2003-04 Live Fire Training: Attitudes, Safety & 1403
• Combined Agency Flashover Simulator – 2000-08
• Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support – 2000-07
• Illinois Society of Fire Service Instructors Instructor II Course – 2000-02
• St. James Hospital Advanced Cardiac Life Support – 2007-02
• University of IL Fire Service Institute
• Hazardous Materials Operations – 1999-04

• MABAS 19 Dive Team Leader: Over 20 years
• Lynwood FD – Dive Rescue Challenge Team Leader and Competitor (5Yrs)
• Dive Team Member/Leader/Instructor (Palos Heights Fire District)
• MABAS 19 Dive Team Training Officer
• Combined Agency Technical Rescue Team - Member (Blue Team)
• CPR Instructor (Palos Heights Fire District)