April 16, 2026

On behalf of the men and women of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, welcome to our website. It is with great pride and deep humility that I serve as Fire Chief, and it is an honor to lead the dedicated professionals who protect our communities every day.

Having grown up in this organization and spent my career serving Santa Barbara County, I find this role deeply personal. For a century, our Department has remained steadfast in its mission to safeguard life, property, and the environment. Today, we are a full-service, all-hazards organization providing fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue, fire prevention and inspection, emergency management, and regional dispatch services.

As we mark our 100th anniversary, we reflect on our roots as a forestry-focused organization created to protect rural wildlands and watersheds, while continually adapting to face the complex challenges confronting our county. From medical emergencies and fires to large-scale disasters, our firefighters, dispatchers, emergency managers, inspectors, and professional staff work hard every day and invest heavily in technology, equipment, and relationships to ensure we are ready to serve wherever and whenever we are needed.

Our success depends not only on the dedication of our personnel but also on strong partnerships with our residents, local businesses, community organizations, and partner agencies. Prepared and informed communities are safer communities, and we are committed to working alongside you to reduce risk and build resilience.

We hope you never need us—but if you do, know that we stand ready, capable, and committed to providing the highest level of service.

Thank you for your trust and continued support.

Garrett Huff
Fire Chief / Fire Warden
Santa Barbara County Fire Department