A resident of Alburtis area all of his life, born into a family with well established service in the community, Fire Lt. Matt Trexler is the recipient of the Alburtis Volunteer Fire Department's Robert W. Mader Award and the Top Responder Award for 2014.

The Robert W. Mader award is given to the firefighter who has continually attended fire training classes, aspires to be the best firefighter they can be, assists other firefighters to the best of their ability, always looks to learn more and provides outstanding service to the community outside of the fire department.

Trexler has been with the Alburtis Fire Department for 10 years and for the past five years he has been the top responder.

In 2014 he responded to 89 calls, 11 more than anyone else in the department. He is also the borough safety committee representative, the borough emergency management agency coordinator and head of the fire department's Christmas celebration.

Trexler gives his time and talents to the fire department and has loved doing it since the beginning of his firefighting career, joining while a student at Emmaus High School. He graduated in 2008.

"I was always surrounded by it. My great uncle, Larry Kerrigan, was an assistant chief with the City of Allentown. I signed up and did it as my graduation project as well," Trexler said.

After high school, Trexler attended Harrisburg Area Community College majoring in fire science and has no doubts about serving the community as a firefighter.

"I knew I always wanted to do it. My dad, Alburtis Fire Department Asst. Fire Chief Randy Trexler, is in his 40th year. He has always been there for me. He is my dad. I love him. I look up to my brother Ryan, an assistant chief with the department and all my older brothers here of course, and Bob (Mader) when he was alive," Trexler said. His most memorable incident with the department was the day Bob Mader died, Trexler said.

Highly trained, Trexler runs daytime classes at the fire house every Wednesday morning and is certified in about 50 different classes himself, all relating to mixed firefighting techniques including firefighting, vehicle rescue, rope rescue and medical training. Trexler said training is important for firefighters.

"We train to brush up on skills and learn new skills. We keep refreshed and well-educated in situations we may come upon," Trexler said.

Trexler's advice to anyone considering being a firefighter is, "Come up and join. Everything is paid for. All gear, schooling, anything you need to help people, we provide. When you come up and sign up you not only get a life changing experience, you get another family." Trexler said.

After college Trexler married his sweetheart Ashley, also a firefighter, and the couple recently had a son, Corbin. Employed full time at Mack Trucks, Trexler is a "production tech flex" or does whatever he is called upon to do, he said.

Spare time is family time for Trexler. When he is off, or on weekends, he enjoys watching the Phillies, loves camping and spending time with his family.