Master Firefighter Matthew A. Schwaner Named 2025 Virginia Beach Firefighter of the Year

Master Firefighter Matthew A. Schwaner has been honored as the 2025 Virginia Beach Fire Department Firefighter of the Year, an award presented annually to a firefighter who exemplifies the department’s highest values and standards. Schwaner was selected by his peers for this prestigious recognition, which was presented during the department’s annual awards ceremony by STIHL® representatives Mr. John Allen and Mr. Ricky Cacchiotti.

Schwaner was chosen for his unwavering commitment to training, exceptional performance, and transformative contributions to advancing fire service excellence across the department.

The Firefighter of the Year Award is presented to an individual who consistently demonstrates the Virginia Beach Fire Department’s core values:

• Service – A professional, trained workforce putting others before self.
• Caring – Addressing situations with empathy and compassion.
• Honesty – Conduct grounded in principled intent and actions.
• Trust – Earning confidence by living the department’s values.
• Integrity – Maintaining moral and ethical behavior at all times.

Master Firefighter Schwaner exemplifies these ideals in every aspect of his service.

Praise from His Peers - Schwaner’s colleagues shared the following remarks highlighting his dedication and impact:

• “Master Firefighter Matthew Schwaner exemplifies the highest standards of our profession. His relentless pursuit of excellence, innovative spirit, and profound impact on the Virginia Beach Fire Department make him a truly deserving recipient of this honor.”
• “One standout example of his initiative was his voluntary outreach to the Department of Public Utilities and city engineers to gain a comprehensive understanding of Virginia Beach’s water distribution system. This effort, undertaken on his own time, enabled him to elevate the department’s Driver Pump Operator curriculum to new levels of precision and relevance.”
• “Among his many self-initiated projects, Matthew has pioneered innovative training tools such as drone photography for apparatus placement and hose stretch techniques. He is widely recognized by his peers as one of the hardest-working members of the fire service—someone who not only excels personally but is deeply committed to the growth and success of others.

Master Firefighter Schwaner’s contributions have had a lasting impact on the department, raising the bar for training standards and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. His leadership, both on and off the fireground, reflects the very best of what it means to serve the City of Virginia Beach.

To view the full awards ceremony and the presentation to Master Firefighter Matthew A. Schwaner, visit the Virginia Beach Fire Department’s official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaBeachFD.