Matt Woody brings over 42 years of hands-on experience in safety, emergency response, and regulatory compliance. Matt continues to bring a deep well of practical knowledge and leadership to every class he teaches.

He spent 22 years on a paid fire department, including 17 years in a chief-level position overseeing a 55-member HAZMAT team that served an eight-county region. Throughout his career, he has responded to approximately 1,400 hazardous material incidents—including spills, fires, cleanups, and rescues.

One of Matt’s most memorable field experiences was coordinating the response to a chemical suicide involving potassium cyanide. The incident contaminated and temporarily shut down emergency services—including fire, police, EMS, and the ER—for an entire mid-sized community. Of the 24 emergency responders who provided care for the victim, 12 were poisoned and required decontamination and medical attention. The gravity of this situation underscored the critical need for proper training—and Matt brings that urgency into every course he leads.

In addition to his extensive field experience, Matt has authored and developed training materials for the National Fire Academy, FEMA Emergency Management Institute, International Association of Fire Fighters, NFPA, Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security. He is certified to deliver HAZWOPER training at all levels, as well as specialized courses on clandestine drug labs, confined space entry and rescue, and response to weapons of mass destruction.