Nine Years Ago Today - August 12, 2013: The men and women of your @LosAngelesFireDepartment remember fallen #LAFD Fire Captain / Paramedic Matthew G. McKnight. - - - Matt McKnight was originally appointed to the LAFD as a single-function paramedic on May 3, 1982, and spent nearly four years at busy assignments across the City, earning the utmost of respect and admiration from patients, hospital staff and colleagues alike. In February 1986, Matt was appointed to the Firefighter Drill Tower to become a dual-function LAFD Firefighter/Paramedic, under the demanding eyes of legendary drillmaster Captain John Squire, who was among the many in later years to recommend Matt serve as a Peer Group Instructor to mentor new recruits. During the next seven years, Matt served as a Firefighter/Paramedic and command team Staff Assistant at many demanding assignments across the City, including storied service at Fire Station 14 in the Newton area. Seeking to enhance his ability to serve, Matt requested and attained a special duty assignment as an LAFD Dispatcher in the Cold War-era subterranean bunker below City Hall East that then housed the LAFD 9-1-1 Dispatch facility known as OCD. It was during this time that Matt's venerable mentor and once drillmaster John Squire earned the rank of Battalion Chief and insisted that none other than Matt serve as his around-the-clock command team partner and Staff Assistant, to be at his side managing emergencies large and small. As Matt departed for his new assignment, LAFD formally announced plans for a new dispatch center in the works, causing Matt to memorably tell his colleagues with a smile "I hope to return someday to work alongside you in the new dispatch center". Always eager to be his best - and warmly inspire others to do the same, Matt worked relentlessly to earn the rank of Captain in 2003, placing at the very top of the highly competitive promotion list. Colleagues would routinely describe Matt as a Captain who lead by example and always provided outstanding leadership. SEE COMMENTS FOR PART 2: