Operations Chief Terry McElwee

Phone: (805)969-7762

Division Chief McElwee began his fire career in 1984 as a crew member with the Santa Barbara County Hot Shots. He then spent four years with the Bureau of Land Management gaining experience working on an engine company in Susanville and Apple Valley, two seasons on the Kern Valley Hotshots, and one season with the Apple Valley Heli-shots.

Chief McElwee came to Montecito Fire Protection District in September of 1988. He promoted to Engineer in 1991, to Captain in 1996 and to Battalion Chief in 2006. Chief McElwee was promoted to Division Chief in 2007 and currently oversees the Operations division.

Chief McElwee has maintained progressive growth throughout his career completing the Fire Technology, Company Officer and Chief Officer Programs. He was a member of the 2006 teaching cadre at the Arizona Wildfire Academy. He is a past recipient of the Board of Supervisor's EMS Commendation and Montecito Rotary Club Public Service Award.

Currently, Chief McElwee represents the Santa Barbara County Operational Area on the Regional California Incident Command Certification System (CICCS) committee and is Chairman on both the Santa Barbara County local CICCS committee and the Santa Barbara County EMS Fire Officers committee. He is a Qualified Division Supervisor and an Operations Section Chief (Trainee) with a Type 2 Interagency Incident Management Team from the Los Padres National Forest.

Within the community, Terry served as Chairman for the Coastline Christian Academy School Board from 2005 - 2007. He currently serves on the Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara Missions Board and was a past director. He enjoys coaching his children in sports and assisting with the Boy Scouts of America.