1. MATTHEW R. CORDASCO
323 New Brunswick Avenue
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
732-698-2065
dasco5@comcast.net
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Retired Battalion Chief with 29 years of experience in Public Safety with the city of Newark, N.J.
Extensive knowledge of Fire Protection Systems, especially fire alarms and fire suppression, including
testing wet, dry and chemical-based systems as well as, training and conducting countless drills related to
fire prevention, building inspections, building collapse, emergency response, evacuation response,
HAZMAT safety and weapons of mass destruction.
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EDUCATION: Rutgers University, Newark, NJ completed 54 credits in Business/Criminal Justice, GPA 3.6
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS:
Firefighter 1 and 2
Incident Command System 100 and 200
IAFF Weapons of Mass Destruction
Chemical Responses
Firefighter Safety
HAZMAT Awareness
First Responders Medical
SKILL HIGHLIGHTS:
Trainer for fire prevention drills, building
inspections, building collapse,
emergency response, evacuation
response, HAZMAT safety and weapons
of mass destruction.
Incident command coordination with
feral, state and county agencies
Firefighter Operations
Safety and Fire prevention Inspections
Leadership under high pressure
conditions
Communication under high pressure
conditions
Multi-company action plan reports
Microsoft Office(Word, Outlook, Excel,
Power Point)
Efficient and accurate
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
2/2015 - 6/2015 & 12/2015 - 3/2016 - KSK Engineers, PC-Newark, NJ- In conjunction with
Parson Corporation, participated in a comprehensive Field Equipment Survey, Inventory and Routine
Maintenance Review as part of a Fire Protection and Life Safety System Compliance program at the Port
Authority of NY/NJ. The locations inspected included the following: JFK Airport Complex, Port Newark,
Port Elizabeth, Port Jersey, Howland Hook and Red Hook.. These reviews provided the Port Authority of
NY/NJ with an in-depth understanding of the FPLS equipment at JFK Airport as well as the 5 PA
controlled Ports in the NY & NJ Region. These inspections included how to properly maintain the
equipment. The survey entailed inspecting all buildings, pumping houses & foam stations, hydrants,
water values and all other fire protection systems of the entire JFK Complex as well as the NY & NJ Ports,
documenting all findings, reviewing current NFPA codes and assisting in the final reports issued to the
Port Authority of NY/NJ.
4/2013 - 7/2014 - Battalion Fire Chief, Newark, NJ--Training Officer at the Newark Fire Academy,
assisting in training current and new firefighters in all aspects of firefighting operations and conducting
multi-company drills; Inspector, conducting inspections of all types of new and renovated building
construction throughout the City of Newark, identifying and reporting any hazards and concerns; Incident
Safety Officer, attending all fires, building collapses and other major incidents; and Incident Commander,
implementing the Accountability System and coordinating the Incident Action Plan.
2. MATTHEW R. CORDASCO
323 New Brunswick Avenue
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
732-698-2065
dasco5@comcast.net
11/2001 - 4/2013 - Fire Captain, Command Engine Company with Foam Tanker Unit, Newark, NJ--
Established Instant Command System, and implemented Action Plan as the first unit on scene in a
Response Area including Port Newark, Newark International Airport, and Doremus Avenue, the most
potentially deadly 2-mile stretch of chemical companies in U.S.; responded to over 300 calls/year,
involving fires, HAZMAT situations, first responders and accidents; coordinated communications
between Dispatch and responding units; coordinated company drills, both on-site and in the training
center, including life-threatening emergencies, fire suppression, HAZMAT responses and SCBA
respiratory protection; and remained current with codes, laws, ordinances, regulations, tactics and
techniques.Conducted and documented over 100 inspections/year to ensure specified standards and
applicable codes are met, identifying and reporting fire hazards, HAZMAT and dangerous conditions,
testing fire panels, wet, dry and chemical fire suppression systems, stand pipes and pump stations, in
new, existing and renovated construction, in diverse structures, including high-rises and venues, on both
public and private property, such as Newark International Airport, the Gateway Complex, Prudential
Arena, new Prudential Towers, Performing Arts Center, Blue Cross & Blue Shield Complex and Port
Newark.
12/1989 - 11/2001 - Firefighter, Newark, NJ—Acting Fire Captain, 15-20 times/year 12/92-11/01;
responded to life-threatening emergencies and property conservation; performed and reported fire
prevention inspections of business and residences on a daily basis; attended in-service training to
become efficient and proficient in fire protection and prevention, HAZMAT operations, first responders and
SCBA use and care.
7/1985 - 12/1989 - Police Officer, Newark, NJ— Performed all aspect of police duties including daily
patrols to protect and serve over 300,000 residents and 200,000 commuters. I also worked with the
Tactical Force as part of the FEAR Program responding as a Task Force to high-crime areas. I was
trained and proficient in all types of police functions, including firearms, auto accidents, towing, 1st
responder community service, preventive patrols & crime prevention, I was also trained in NJ Laws,
including 2C (Criminal) and Title 39 (Traffic)
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS/RECOGNITION:
Ranked #9 out of 85 Applicants for the Battalion Fire Chief Exam
Ranked #5 out of 290 Applicants for the Fire Captain Exam
Ranked #1 out of 23 Recruits in the Newark Fire Academy in First Responder Training
Ranked #1 academically out of 40 Recruits at the Newark Police Academy
St. Barnabas Burn Foundation Valor
NJ Metro Professional Photographer’s Award
Recognized by the City of Newark & Newark Firefighters’ Union for rescuing two victims trapped
above a fire, 2007
Multiple Commendations from the Newark Fire and Police Departments
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
National Kid Safe certified for all coaching activities: East Brunswick Soccer Club; East Brunswick Baseball
League, East Brunswick Fast Break Basketball; St Bartholomew’s School Basketball. Coordinated
numerous trips for youth sports teams to attend Rutgers University Soccer and Basketball games;
volunteered in NFL Hometown All-Stars game (2013). Organized numerous Fire Prevention Programs at
local elementary and pre-schools.