Assistant Fire Marshal Richard Lauritson

Phone: (805) 969-4173

Captain Richard Lauritson Richard Lauritson started his career in the fire service in 1986. He enrolled in the Allan Hancock fire Academy, and graduated at the top of his class in 1987. Richard then went on to obtain his Fire Technology certificate.

In 1989 Richard was hired by Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District as a reserve firefighter. In 1994 Richard was hired by Montecito Fire Protection District as a reserve firefighter. This program was a joint reserve program with both Montecito & Carpinteria Fire Districts.

In 1996 Richard was hired full time by Montecito Fire Protection District. Since that time he has been involved in many fire prevention projects, including developing the department's first complete fire investigation kit. Richard also became a certified CPR instructor to assist other instructors in educating the public in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

In 2003 Richard went to California Specialized Training Institute to be trained as a Hazardous Material specialist, he then went on to become a certified outreach First Responder Operational Instructor. Richard is presently a team member of the Santa Barbara County south coast Haz-Mat team, and is the lead instructor for all of Montecito Fire District's annual FRO classes.

Richard obtained his Fire Officer Certificate and is still working toward his Chief Officer certification. Richard promoted to Engineer and Captain in 2010. He now brings his energy to the prevention bureau as Assistant Fire Marshal and plans to focus on Fire Prevention and Investigation training. Operationally Richard is a Field Observer and Display Processor and has a number of other NWCG qualifications.

Richard and his family currently reside in the Santa Ynez Valley. He has been married for 24 years and has two children. Richard has been a licensed General Contractor since 1994. In his spare time he is involved with his family and his children's activates. He enjoys helping to coach his son's baseball team, playing golf, hiking and fishing.