Matt Murphy sworn in as Ottawa’s newest firefighter

Murphy will immediately start EMT-B training process

May 29, 2025 at 12:18 pm CDT

Matt Murphy, left, poses for a photo with Deputy Fire Chief Michael Mills during his swearing-in ceremony this week at Ottawa City Hall. (Photo Provided by Ottawa Fire Department)

The Ottawa Fire Department welcomed its newest member this week as Matt Murphy was officially sworn in as a firefighter.

Murphy will join shift one as he begins his journey in the fire service.

Like all new members of the department, he will start the process of becoming a certified EMT-B, attend the Illinois Fire Service Institute Fire Academy, and eventually pursue training to become a paramedic.

“This process is time-consuming but worth the effort,” the department said in a statement. “We’re excited to welcome Matt to the OFD family and to what we believe is the most rewarding career there is.”

Bill Freskos

Bill Freskos is a multimedia journalist based in the Illinois Valley. He covers hard news, local government, sports, business enterprise, and politics while contributing to Shaw Local Radio stations for Shaw Media across La Salle, Bureau, and Putnam counties.