Chief of Emergency Services

Matthew Lindewirth serves as Bay County's Chief of Emergency Services. Prior to joining Bay County, Chief Lindewirth held several senior leadership positions, including chief and deputy chief of counties in Missouri, South Carolina and Virginia. Chief Lindewirth has an extensive background in budgetary and fiscal management, human resources, training and policy development and execution.

Chief Lindewirth is a nationally certified paramedic with more than 28 years of prehospital experience, 26 of which have been as a paramedic. He successfully graduated from both the St. Charles County and St. Louis County fire academies and served as a paramedic/firefighter with two fire protection districts in Missouri and an EMS district. He also has served as a certified heavy rescue technician and public information officer for a metropolitan Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team. He is currently a graduate professor at Creighton University for the School of Nursing, Emergency Medical Services program.

Chief Lindewirth holds a Master of Science in EMS from Creighton University, a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Troy University, an Associates of Applied Science in Aviation Operations from the Community College of the Air Force, and an Associates of Applied Science in Paramedic Science from St. Louis Community College.

Chief Lindewirth proudly serves the nation as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy, where he now serves in the reserves. He is completing his 21st year of service. Prior to accepting his commission, he served as an enlisted petty officer (corpsman) in the Navy and staff sergeant (inflight refueler) with the Air Force.

Chief Lindewirth has been honored with several awards from both local and national organizations for outstanding patient care, public relations and child injury prevention. He also has numerous personal and unit awards from his military service.