2024 Annual Report
2024 Annual Report
Fire Chief's Message
As Fire Chief, I am honored to present our 2024 Annual Report for the Montecito Fire Protection District. This report highlights our department’s responses, progress, and initiatives we have undertaken to enhance safety, preparedness, and community resiliency. As part of our commitment to providing Montecito with exceptional service, we take great pride in the opportunity to present our achievements over the past year and share them with our community. The first quarter of 2024 presented our district and the South Coast with a multitude of storms and evacuations related to an El Niño weather pattern. Our community experienced significant rain in February with rainfall totals over 11.5 inches in a 48-hour period. The most significant event occurred on March 30 and delivered 1.81 inches of rain and hail in one hour. As a result, our department and neighboring agencies responded to more than 70 calls for service related to flooding and the closure of Highway 101. It was reassuring to see how our standing agreements with our fire and law enforcement partners worked seamlessly as we triaged calls for service and answered the needs of our community members.
One of our key achievements was the expanded placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) throughout the community. These life-saving devices are now accessible in more public areas, ensuring that in the event of a cardiac emergency, rapid response is possible. This effort underscores our commitment to enhancing public health and safety. We have also implemented advancements in our public messaging capabilities by upgrading and reinstituting our AM 1610 radio station. This capability will allow us to have an alternate method of sharing vital evacuation and incident information in times when conventual means of communication are unavailable. During the course of the year, we proudly unveiled a redesigned website. Our new website serves as a central hub for emergency information, community updates, and preparedness resources. Users will find informational videos focused on weather events and wildfire preparedness. These videos provide practical guidance on creating defensible space, developing evacuation plans, and understanding fire behavior. By making these resources available online, we empower our community to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their homes from year-round fire risks.
In collaboration with the Montecito Trails Foundation, Montecito Community Foundation, United States Forest Service, and Southern California Edison, significant improvements were made to the fire roads that access the Hot Springs Trail and adjoining trail networks. These enhancements focus on both usability and safety, allowing our personnel to better access trail emergencies and potential fires. The network of fire roads also allows our personnel to have a tactical advantage in locating and accessing fires in the challenging terrain that makes up the northern boundaries of our district.
As we reflect on these accomplishments, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our dedicated firefighters, dispatchers, staff, and community partners. Together, we are building a safer, more resilient future for our community. I am excited about the path ahead and remain committed to leading efforts that prioritize safety, preparedness, and collaboration.
- David Neels, Montecito Fire Chief