Firefighters stage fundraisers for Arnold emergency scene photographer who lost leg

Steven Matto shoots some of the most intense fire scene photos ever taken.

It’s just that most people don’t get a chance to see them.

Matto, 54, is the official photographer for many Alle-Kiski Valley fire companies, documenting more than 700 emergencies. His photos are used by fire companies to document their responses as learning tools. Only rarely do they make it into a newspaper or onto television.

Recently, though, illness and the loss of a leg have kept him on the sidelines, unable to document the courage and hard work of the volunteers who run into burning buildings instead of away from them.

Now, those firefighters are rallying to help their photographer recuperate.

A stubborn infection started by a plantar wart required his left leg to be amputated above the knee.

Local fire companies are rallying to raise money for Matto’s medical and living expenses:

• There will be a spaghetti dinner Saturday at the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department event hall.

• A band blast featuring local musicians to benefit Matto is set for Sunday, May 29, at New Kensington Memorial Park.

• A GoFundMe webpage has raised more than $8,000 toward a $20,000 goal.

Matto’s photos document the grit and work of individual firefighters and the fire scenes, themselves.

“Steve is a well-known and respected incident photographer not only in the Valley but across Western Pa.,” said Brennan Sites, assistant chief at Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 3.

“We routinely utilize his videos and photos to self-critique our actions to reinforce our best practices, as well as identify any missteps that we need to do more training on,” he said.

Losing a leg

Matto’s medical ordeal began late last year with a plantar wart on his left foot.

An infection raged, spreading to his blood and bones. He underwent five surgeries and spent seven weeks in the hospital.

He also was diagnosed with double covid-19 pneumonia after the first surgery, according to his family.

New Kensington fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr. became aware of Matto’s health problems around Christmas. Matto’s wife, Connie, alerted Saliba that she needed help getting her husband up the steps to their Arnold home.

Saliba rounded up some firefighters to build a ramp at Matto’s home.

That was when he learned Matto had lost his foot.

“I didn’t know the infection would spread, and there would be more surgeries,” he said.

When Matto lost most of his leg, Saliba suspected Matto would need more than a ramp.

“We knew Steve was the breadwinner for the family and they needed means to survive,” he said. “Listening to Connie talk about health care, we didn’t know how long the situation would last. Who knows?”

The Mattos have four children.

Saliba teamed with other firefighters, such as Chris O’Leath, former chief and spokesman for Arnold Volunteer Engine Co. No. 2.

As the men made fundraising plans, Matto ventured out in his wheelchair to photograph a fatal New Kensington fire on March 6 and the funeral of Arnold Fire Company No. 2 Chief Keith Dziobak.

Matto is being outfitted with a prosthetic leg with a computerized knee.

He hopes to start jumping over fire hoses to access fire scenes in June or July.

“It kills me to not be able to get around at a fire scene out there, and that’s a huge motivation,” Matto said. “I have a 3-year-old daughter who I want to chase around the yard. I want to be back at work. My employer is holding my job, which is fantastic.”

The brotherhood

Matto, a bakery manager for Giant Eagle in Verona, picked up a camera in 2012 and started photographing weddings, local bands, high school sports and more.

Then he stopped by a few fire scenes, including one in Arnold.

After O’Leath, then chief of Arnold No. 2, saw his work, he asked Matto to take photos for his fire company. Saliba followed suit. Then Lower Burrell’s two fire companies came on board, and there’s been more since.

Matto provides his services for free.

His interest in fire scene photography has blossomed into public service.

He covers fires for local area departments from Pittsburgh to Greensburg to Kittanning.

“Someone sees a fire truck whizzing past traffic, and my photos show the community and the firefighters’ families what they do,” he said.

“The photos show why people should put a couple of dollars in the boot.”

Matto arrives on fire scenes most times before firefighters because he receives the emergency alerts and doesn’t have to stop at a station to gear up, O’Leath said.

Matto documents the dynamics of the fire. He usually knows if someone is in a burning building and relays that information to firefighters as they arrive.

“He functions as a first set of eyes at the scene,” O’Leath said. “That has dramatically assisted us with knowing the origins of the fire and other aspects of the emergency.”

Then Matto’s photos become educational tools after a fire when firefighters review their operations.

“His love for photography and the fire departments kind of changed a lot about how some fire departments operate,” Saliba said. “You see from his photos and videos certain tactics used by firefighters, which you can use to further your next advance or apparatus placement.”

Many people assume that firefighters just go out and put out a fire, but there is much more to it, Matto said. Firefighters are saving people, buildings and the public from dangers posed by fires.

“You can’t believe what happens at a scene. It’s amazing. Everyone has their own jobs, and everyone pitches in,” he said.

Matto’s Facebook page The Scene Photography has 9,500 followers, including from Canada, Poland, India and Russia.