Announcing The Appointment of New Montecito Fire Chief

Yesterday, the Montecito Fire Protection District Board of Directors appointed Kevin Taylor as the next Fire Chief of the Montecito Fire Department.

Taylor began his career in 1987 with Cal Fire in San Luis Obispo County.  He hired on with the Paso Robles Fire Department in 1991, where he progressed through the ranks to Battalion Chief in 2003.  In February 2015, the Montecito Fire Department hired Taylor as the Division Chief – Operations.  Chief Taylor has a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Administration and a Master’s Degree in Emergency Management.  He is a founding member of the Santa Barbara County Type 3 Incident Management Team and served as one of three Incident Commanders. Chief Taylor was one of the Unified Commanders of the 1-9 Debris Flow event in Montecito and remains engaged in the recovery process. 

“The Board of Directors of the Montecito Fire Protection District welcomes, with much enthusiasm, the newly appointed Fire Chief, Kevin Taylor,” stated Board President, Sylvia Easton.  “Chief Taylor is already highly respected in the Montecito community, as well as the greater Santa Barbara County for his leadership roles.  We congratulate him and look forward to working with him as the new Fire Chief.” 

Chip Hickman has been the Fire Chief for the past 7 years and successfully led the organization through the two largest disasters the community of Montecito has ever experienced.  After 29 years with the Montecito Fire Department, Chief Hickman will officially retire on July 5, 2019.  “The Board bids farewell to Chief Chip Hickman and we wish him the best,” stated President Easton.  We thank him for his long, dedicated and distinguished service to the Montecito community.”