Matt Staiger: Glad to Have Family by His Side at Kellyville FD

Matt Staiger currently serves as the Kellyville Fire Chief. He was hired on the Kellyville Volunteer Fire Department in May of 2000.

In his 23 years, he worked up the ranks from firefighter, to Lieutenant, to Captain, to Assistant Chief, and now serves as Fire Chief.

Matt always dreamed of being a firefighter, and was thrilled when the opportunity arose in his hometown.

• Matt Staiger (1st Generation) Kellyville FD (2000 to now)

• Gage Staiger (2nd Gen.)

Kellyville FD (2012 to now)

• Mikayla Staiger (2nd Gen.) Kellyville FD (2015 to now)

• Susan Pace (Gage’s fiancé)

Kellyville FD (2018 to now)

• Sheri Staiger (Matt’s wife) Kellyville FD (2022 to now)

And Matt is extremely proud that his children have chosen to follow in his footsteps. He said being able to see their achievements in the field are priceless.

Both Matt’s son and daughter, Gage Staiger, and Mikayla Staiger, joined the department at the age of 17. Gage got on in 2012 and has served 11 years, and Mikayla got on in 2015 and has been on 8 years.

Gage currently serves as a Captain, and

Mikayla serves as Lieutenant/EMT & Training Officer.

After seeing all the fun they were having, Gage’s fiancé Susan Pace decided she wanted to be a firefighter, and she has served on the department since October of 2018.

Within the last year, Matt’s wife Sheri has also decided to become a firefighter to help on calls when needed; she also does the department’s secretarial work.

“I am extremely proud to have my family by my side, and wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said.

Matt says he is incredibly honored to have seen how Kellyville FD has grown, and he has a great crew by his side.

His most memorable calls are the ones with his children, specifically watching his daughter save a young life, and watching his son be a leader on house fire calls.

Guthrie Firefighter and Paramedic Clayton Davison played football and baseball at Guthrie High, and the fields were directly across the street from Guthrie FD.

“When my father was on duty, not only was he able to come watch these events, multiple other on-duty guys would spectate also, and it truly further emphasized the feeling of having an extended family.”

Clayton followed his father Rodney Davison and grandfather Bill Weinand into service at Guthrie FD.

And he considers himself fortunate to have grown up in the fire service.

“I was surrounded by guys that not only served their community, but served to be the best dads, friends and mentors they could possibly be to the people and families that surrounded them,” Clayton said. “

“The gratitude and selflessness these guys showed truly inspired me to not only start a career in the fire service, but to

• Bill Weinand (1st Generation) Guthrie FD (1969 to 1994)

• Rodney Davison (2nd Gen.) Guthrie FD (1985 to 2013)

• Clayton Davison (3rd Gen.) Guthrie FD (2019 to now) begin my career at Guthrie Fire.

“Being a part of a multi-generational firefighter family makes me extremely proud. Being able to walk the halls of past family members and having the opportunity to serve a community that has done so much for me and my family is very humbling and makes me very appreciative for the guys that serve next to me every day.”

Clayton’s father Rodney served 28 years at Guthrie FD, retiring in 2013. He passed away three years later.

“The bond of firefighters is truly unmatched and in 2016, following the passing of my father, that was my true first experience witnessing that bond,” Clayton said.

“Numerous departments and countless firefighters from actively serving to retired were in attendance for his funeral, and that experience put in to context how big the family of Oklahoma Firefighters truly is.

“And I hope to pass on the work ethic that was instilled into me into future generations of firefighters.”