Craig Mateski
Craig Mateski: Fire Commissioner, Retired Battalion Chief and GAVC Fire Science Instructor. With over three decades of dedication to the fire service, Craig Mateski began his career in 1990 as a volunteer firefighter and full-time paramedic with the Troy Fire Department. As one of the first six paramedics to help establish Troy as an Advanced Life Support provider, he laid the groundwork for enhanced emergency care in the community. In 1996, he joined the Aurora Fire Department, where he served until 2022 in various roles, including firefighter/paramedic, Fire Investigator, Junior Fire Setter Counselor, Public Information Officer, and member of the Hiring and Background Board. Rising through the ranks, he was promoted to Lieutenant in 2008, Captain in 2016, appointed Battalion Chief in 2019, and Shift Commander in 2021. His service was recognized with multiple Unit Citations, including for a trench rescue, a fatal apartment fire response, and lifesaving care for a child attacked by dogs. In 2023, he transitioned to education, teaching Introduction and Advanced Fire Science at Grundy Area Vocational Center. In 2025, he was appointed Fire Commissioner for the Morris Fire Department, where he is instrumental in hiring and developing a full-time firefighting staff and promotional process. Craig holds an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science from Joliet Junior College and is a proud alum serving on the JJC Foundation board.
Appears in 1 Episode
Igniting Futures: A JJC Alum’s Role in Fire Science and Community Impact
In this episode of the Roots and Branches JJC Alumni Podcast, host Jen Davis brings National Fire Prevention Month into focus with an interview featuring Craig Mateski...
