Chief Schmitt has been a member of the Pensacola Fire Department for 32 years employed initially as a firefighter in October 1979.  He has lived in the Pensacola area since 1979 after his active duty military service at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.   Matt graduated from David Douglas High School in Portland, Oregon in 1973, Pensacola Junior College (A.A. General Education) 1986, Community College of the Air Force (A.S. Flight Engineering) 1987, and Troy University (B.S. Resource Management) 1999.

Chief Schmitt is a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant from the 919^th Special Operations Wing (Reserve) at Duke Field near Crestview, Florida.

Matt and his wife Julie met while Matt was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, FL and were married in 1980.  They have one son Aaron (1982).