Baxter Fire Chief Matt White Joins Ben Rodgers To Discuss A Life Of Duty episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 9, 2026 · 32 MIN

Baxter Fire Chief Matt White Joins Ben Rodgers To Discuss A Life Of Duty

from Local Matters · host George Halford, Jeremy Wendt, Tiffany Anton, Jen Mabry & Emily Lee, Ben Rodgers

Ben Rodgers sits down with Baxter Fire Chief Matt White, a Cookeville native who has spent 37 years in emergency services after unexpectedly falling into the field he now loves. Matt shares how growing up in a family of EMTs—and a push from his older brother—led him from working as a mechanic and in a body parts store to volunteering with Putnam County and eventually going full-time in the fire service in 1990. He reflects on how much Cookeville and Baxter have grown, the challenges of staffing a young full-time fire department with just three full-time employees, and the nationwide decline in volunteer firefighters. Matt also talks about the department’s 17 current volunteers, the city’s growing pains, and his hope to see a second full-time station built in Baxter before he retires. It’s an insightful look at dedication, community service, and the future of public safety in a rapidly growing town. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! News Talk 94.1

Ben Rodgers sits down with Baxter Fire Chief Matt White, a Cookeville native who has spent 37 years in emergency services after unexpectedly falling into the field he now loves. Matt shares how growing up in a family of EMTs—and a push from his older brother—led him from working as a mechanic and in a body parts store to volunteering with Putnam County and eventually going full-time in the fire service in 1990. He reflects on how much Cookeville and Baxter have grown, the challenges of staffing a young full-time fire department with just three full-time employees, and the nationwide decline in volunteer firefighters. Matt also talks about the department’s 17 current volunteers, the city’s growing pains, and his hope to see a second full-time station built in Baxter before he retires. It’s an insightful look at dedication, community service, and the future of public safety in a rapidly growing town. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today!

NOW PLAYING

Baxter Fire Chief Matt White Joins Ben Rodgers To Discuss A Life Of Duty

0:00 32:50

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

The A91 Football Podcast dbellew Covering the north east football league & local junior football in the Louth/Meath area Hyperfluent Hypio Hyperfluent transmits straight from the heart of Hyperliquid, where culture, creativity, and capital converge. Anchored by the architects of Hypio—the decentralized cultural virus—each episode archives the minds engineering the blockchain built to house all finance. These conversations are traceable artifacts in HyperEVM’s evolution: not just what’s being built, but why it matters, how it mutates, and where it’s taking us next. Listen in for the blueprints, the blind spots, and the narrative weapons shaping tomorrow’s markets.Hyperfluent: learn the language, ride the wave, spread the strain. LE HAWKESBURY SOCIAL ’BACK TO LIFE’ ADAM STACEY Welcome to the ‘Le Hawkesbury Social’, 'Back to Life’ a space where we celebrate life in all its colors: happiness, joy, love, connection, and even the moments of sadness that make us human. A space where we celebrate life in all its colors: happiness, joy, love, connection, and even the moments of sadness that make us human. Hosted by a passionate mental health advocate, this show dives deep into the topics that truly matter to today’s culture and community. Each episode offers honest conversations, thoughtful reflections, and real stories that bring people together. Whether you’re here for mental health discussions, community connections, or just looking to feel seen and heard in a fast-paced world, you’re in the right place. Adam believes in building a diverse and inclusive community where voices from every background can come together, share, and support one another. That’s why every Wellness Podcast, we open the mic to local community partners, support services, and inspiring voi Mobile Money by moomoo Mobile Money by moomoo Hear from seasoned traders, financial influencers, and industry insiders as they discuss money matters and market news and share their personal finance stories.Disclaimers: https://www.moomoo.com/us/support/topic4_523

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Local Matters?

This episode is 32 minutes long.

When was this Local Matters episode published?

This episode was published on January 9, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Ben Rodgers sits down with Baxter Fire Chief Matt White, a Cookeville native who has spent 37 years in emergency services after unexpectedly falling into the field he now loves. Matt shares how growing up in a family of EMTs—and a push from his...

Can I download this Local Matters episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!