Decatur Fire Department Administration

Fire Chief Matthew Sekosky

Matthew Sekosky became the Fire Chief of the City of Decatur on January 9, 2006 and oversees a department of 123 employees.

He began his career in the fire service in 1974. During his senior year of high school he became a fire cadet on the Homewood, Illinois Fire Department. He attained the paid–on-call rank of paramedic/engineer before being hired as a firefighter for Decatur on December 3, 1981.

He soon moved to the rank of Lieutenant in 1988, followed by Captain in 1991, then Battalion Chief in 1999. He was in command of various multiple alarm industrial and commercial fires. As Battalion Chief he also improved the department’s training programs and documentation meeting state and national standard training guidelines.

In 2004, Matthew was promoted to Fire Marshal. He supervised the Department’s Inspection and Investigation Division. He worked with the City’s Inspections, Planning, and Engineering Divisions and was also the program director for the Jr. Fire Cadet Program.

Chief Sekosky holds many state certifications in fire, EMS, technical rescue and is a P.A.D.I. rescue diver. He has a Bachelors Degree in Fire Department Administration and an Associates Degree in Fire Science. He is a member of various boards and committees and advocates for children with disabilities.

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Deputy Fire Chief Jeffrey Abbott

• Promoted to Deputy Fire Chief on April 9, 2007
• Promoted to Captain on August 1, 2006
• Promoted to Lieutenant December 9, 1999
• Began his career as a Decatur Fire Fighter on March 15, 1995
• Associates Degree in Fire Science from Richland Community College
• Currently enrolled in the SIU Fire Management Bachelor’s Program
• As Deputy Chief, Jeff is responsible for apparatus maintenance, grounds and facility maintenance and personnel matters
• He serves on the Corporate Safety Committee and workplace Violence Prevention Committee
• Deputy Chief Abbott assumes responsibility for the Department in the absence of the Fire Chief

Fire Marshal Lyle Meador

• Associates Degrees in Fire Science and Law Enforcement from Richland Community College
• Became Certified Police Officer in 1989 and was previously employed as a Macon County Deputy Sheriff and Correctional Officer
• Began career as a Fire Fighter with the Decatur Fire Department on August 16, 1990
• Appointed Fire Marshal April 17, 2006
• Promoted to Captain August 17, 2004
• Promoted to Lieutenant August 20, 1996
• As Fire Marshal, Lyle is responsible for 3 fire investigators/inspectors
• Fire Marshal Meador is the Director of the Fire Department’s Jr. Fire Cadet Program
• Fire Marshal Meador is responsible for promoting fire safety to the citizens of Decatur through the Jr. Fire Cadet Program, annual Fire Prevention Week in October, and puppet shows and assemblies at area schools

1st Battalion Chief Leslie Lockwood

• Bachelors Degree in Fire Service Management from Southern Illinois University
• Promoted to Battalion Chief of 1st Battalion on January 9, 2004
• Promoted to Captain May 9, 1991
• Promoted to Lieutenant December 18, 1987
• Began career as a Fire Fighter with the Decatur Fire Department on September 15, 1983
• As Battalion Chief, Les is responsible for fire fighter training and officer training
• Battalion Chief Lockwood is also responsible for the maintenance of suppression equipment
• Attended Executive Fire Officer Series at the National Fire Academy
• Earned "Excellence in Education Award" from the National Fire Academy
• Teaches fire science classes for the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute
• Teaches at the Fire Department Instructor Conference in Indianapolis

2nd Battalion Chief Fred Schneller

• Masters Degree in English from Eastern Kentucky University
• Bachelors Degree in English/Philosophy from Millikin University
• Promoted to Battalion Chief of 2nd Battalion on August 20, 2003
• Promoted to Captain October 21, 1993
• Promoted to Lieutenant May 9, 1991
• Began career as a Fire Fighter with the Decatur Fire Department on July 15, 1985
• In addition to his duties as Battalion Chief of 2nd Battalion, Fred is responsible for all areas of Emergency Medical Services for the department, including training, record-keeping, equipment and supplies
• EMT-Paramedic license since January 1991
• EMS Lead Instructor license since February 2002
• International Trauma Life Support Instructor
• American Heart Association CPR Instructor
• Designated Officer for Infection Control for the department

3rd Battalion Chief Mike McGeehon

• Promoted to Battalion Chief of 3rd Battalion on August 17, 2004
• Promoted to Captain September 4, 2000
• Promoted to Lieutenant April 24, 1995
• Began career as a Fire Fighter with the Decatur Fire Department on June 27, 1988
• As Battalion Chief, Mike is responsible for all technical rescue training and responses, hazardous material training and responses, and all other special operations training, equipment and responses