Tag archives: montecito fire department
Montecito Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 500 block of Picacho Lane shortly after 2:30 pm on Monday, October 19. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and flames concentrated in the home’s chimney and fireplace. Although crews quickly knocked down the initial fire, flames had spread into the walls and second-story attic, […]
“Service above self” is at the core of what it means to be a firefighter. At Montecito Fire, we look to our elected Board of Directors as representatives of the community to decide policy issues and set priorities for the Fire District. Our most recent Board President, Peter van Duinwyk, has set an example of […]
Montecito has two new temporary firefighter housing sites for use during periods of elevated fire risk and other significant weather events thanks to a strong partnership between the Montecito Fire Department and Montecito Water District. Strategically located on the east and west ends of Montecito Fire’s service area, these sites will provide enhanced public safety […]
Public safety, wildfire readiness, flood prevention and several new community initiatives took center stage at the Montecito Association’s August board meeting. Chief Brian Fallon of the Montecito Fire District reported that approximately 10% of district personnel are currently supporting mutual-aid assignments outside the community, while adequate staffing remains in place to protect Montecito. A new […]
Montecito Fire Department (MFD) Chief Brian Fallon announced recently there are “expected openings” to work for Montecito Fire Protection District. The positions are for an entry-level Firefighter/EMT and for a Firefighter/Paramedic. While recruitment will start in November 2026, this is a pre-recruitment announcement for interested applicants to get in shape and line up their skill […]
On July 20, Montecito Fire Chief Brian Fallon honored veteran firefighter/paramedic Ryland McCracken for his 20 years of service to Montecito Fire Protection District (MFPD). A ceremony at the main Montecito fire station took place where he received his 20-year pin from Fallon. Attending were McCracken’s fellow firefighters and his family. Among highlights of his […]
By Lisa Duncan “This story goes back 20 years,” laughed Dana Newquist. “There were only three of us on the Fire District board – me, Ron Jensen, and John Venable. John and I were put in charge of hiring new firefighters, and one of the first questions we asked Ben Hauser was, ‘Can you cook?’ […]
The old adage, “April showers bring May flowers,” is not a complete bed of roses given high fire season predictions on the Santa Barbara County South Coast. Maeve Juarez is a wildland fire specialist with Montecito Fire Department and has been responding to wildfires across the Western United States for the better part of the […]
On February 17, Montecito Fire Department placed a new Paramedic Squad unit into service to better serve our community. The new Squad 91 is housed at Station 91 at 595 San Ysidro Road. Squad 91 replaces a 13-year-old unit with more than 75,000 miles. It is staffed daily with two firefighters, including at least one […]
There’s a new buzz in Montecito – foreshadowing warmer, drier days to come. It’s the buzz of a chipping machine turning branches and brush into millions of tiny woodchips. Montecito Fire Department’s Neighborhood Chipping Program is now 17 years running. This year’s program kicked off February 9. The 10-week program will run every other week […]
Each year, our organization’s objectives are to offer a robust level of service within our community, provide regional cooperation, and maintain a focus on wildfire preparedness and organizational development within the Montecito Fire Department. Our personnel remain committed to protecting the community while adapting to evolving risks and operational changes. Throughout the year, Montecito Fire […]
SOC (save our cattle) from horrible inhumane slaughter. Every time I drive up in the country, I enjoy seeing all the free-roaming cattle with their cute calves on the hillside. It’s nice to see happy cows while they are alive, knowing that eventually they’re going to end up on someone’s dinner table. I have an […]
Knowing who to call in an emergency – or any situation where help is needed – can make a significant, and in some cases, lifesaving difference. In the event of an emergency or any need for a response from the Montecito Fire Department, EMS or law enforcement, please remember to dial 911 or send a […]
Montecito Fire District Chief Neels and his teams have kept busy with Fire Prevention Week visits to local schools and water-rescue training off Butterfly Beach. He is also reminding residents that it’s time to start preparing for the 2026 Neighborhood Chipping Program by clearing vegetation that could put homes or businesses at risk. The Carpinteria–Summerland […]
This month, Santa Barbara County public safety officials are joining together to highlight National Preparedness Month with a countywide theme of “Preparedness Starts with You.” Community members are encouraged to take simple proactive steps to protect themselves, their families, pets, and neighborhoods before the next emergency incident occurs here. “Our community knows firsthand how suddenly […]
For Friday’s recap, Montecito Fire Department Chief Neels celebrates Firefighter/Paramedic Trevor Oakley who recently completed his probation period; congrats! Oakley arrived at Montecito Fire in 2024 via his hometown Buellton neighbor, Montecito Firefighter Evan Hamaker. Oakley, “Personally, I’ve always gravitated toward the Montecito area. My wife Alexis and I spend a lot of time at […]
Our blue skies and summer sunshine have been mired by smoky, ashy conditions caused by the Gifford Fire burning in northeastern Santa Barbara County. While the fire is a considerable distance from Montecito, the smoky skies trigger visceral memories and even fear for many community members who have lived through wildfires here. We are in […]
The Montecito Fire Department held a Wildfire Preparedness Community Meeting at Montecito Union School on June 26, less than a week before California’s largest fire of 2025 broke out in Santa Barbara County. Montecito Fire sent an engine and several specially trained personnel to assist with managing the Madre Fire near Cuyama. Evacuations spanned rural […]
Despite the June gloom that is frequently obscuring our skies, the risk of wildfire looms. In coordination with all fire departments in Santa Barbara County, Montecito Fire Department declared the start of High Fire Season on June 2, 2025. As part of our routine preparation for peak fire season, Montecito Fire Department will host a […]
If you have called 9-1-1 while in Montecito, Carpinteria or Summerland over the last 48 years, you would have been linked to a small but mighty dispatch center located within Montecito Fire Station 91 on San Ysidro Road. The South Coast Dispatch Center provided full-time dispatch services for Montecito Fire Department starting in the fall […]
