Santa Barbara City Fire Department

Today is the last day of service for Chief Lee Waldron. He is having a farewell lunch and on duty crews are stopping by to congratulate him and wish him well. Chief Waldron is pictured in the "Tiller seat" a highly coveted spot. Congratulations Chief!

Santa Barbara City Fire Department Operations Chief retires The Santa Barbara City Fire Department would like to announce the retirement of Operations Division Chief Lee Waldron. He will leave the City of Santa Barbara as of November 19, 2020 after serving for 36 years in the fire service. Chief Waldron was hired by the Santa Barbara City Fire Department in 1984. He promoted to Engineer in 1990 and to Captain in 1995. Chief Waldron rose to the rank of Battalion Chief in 2010.... Chief Waldron worked in many assignments during his tenure, including Hazmat Team member, Aircraft Rescue Firefighter and Truck Captain. Chief Waldron worked in the Training Division as both a Captain and Battalion Chief where he managed several recruit academies and conducted multiple promotional exams for all ranks. He was also a shift Battalion Chief. Chief Waldron was awarded Firefighter of the Year, by the Santa Barbara City Firefighters Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Lions club. He also served as a board member of the Santa Barbara City Firefighters Association and as a Liaison to the Santa Barbara Firefighters Alliance. Chief Waldron promoted into his current position at Operations Division Chief in May 2015. He helped establish a Type 3 Incident Management Team comprised of all of the agencies in Santa Barbara County. He is certified as both a Company Officer and Chief Officer by the California State Fire Marshal. Chief Waldron was the interim Fire Chief from March 2018 until January 2019. Former Santa Barbara City Fire Chief Pat McElroy said this about Chief Waldron Over his whole career and especially the last ten years, Lee Waldron has been a rock solid fire leader in the Santa Barbara County Operational Area. When I was Chief he was my right arm The Santa Barbara City Fire Department would like to congratulate Chief Waldron on a long successful career, and thank him for his service. We wish him a happy retirement.

MEDIA RELEASE Water rescue for a kite surfer in distress SANTA BARBARA, CA November 8, 2020... On Sunday November 8, 2020, at approximately 1 pm, the Combined Communications Center received emergency calls reporting a kite surfer in distress. Citizens called from the Douglas Family Preserve and Arroyo Burro Beach. Initial reports stated the kite surfer was between Arroyo Burro Beach and Mesa Lane. Santa Barbara City Fire Department responded with 4 fire engines one truck company and a Battalion Chief. Harbor Patrol responded in Boat 2. The first engine company to arrive at Arroyo Burro Beach, reported a kite surfer down in the water, east of their location. A second engine company responded to the Douglas Family Preserve, contacted a reporting party and remained on scene to observe and report on conditions. 1 Rescue swimmer deployed from the Santa Barbara City Fire Department, entered the water and paddled to the victim. Harbor Patrol Boat 2 threw a rescue line to the surfer, and pulled him and his kite onto the boat. The male approximately 50 years of age was not hurt but said he was cold and exhausted and believed he had been down in the water approximately 1 hour. Harbor Patrol Boat 2 was on scene in less than 10 minutes. The rescue was approximately mile off shore from the Douglas Family Preserve, between Selrose Lane and Arroyo Burro Beach. He was transported back to the launch ramp in the harbor, to be further evaluated by AMR. He declined transport to the hospital. Harbor Patrol gave the kite surfer a ride back to Arroyo Burro Beach to his vehicle. The Santa Barbara City Fire Department would like to encourage you to please wear a life vest or have a life saving device that you are able to activate in case of an emergency while out on the ocean. Photos courtesy of the Santa Barbara City Fire Department Kevin Corbett Fire Engineer / Public Information Officer Santa Barbara City Fire Department