Santa Barbara City Fire Chief Appointed
updated: Jan 24, 2013, 5:15 PM

Source: City of Santa Barbara

After an extensive national recruitment process, Pat McElroy has been appointed as Fire Chief, pending Council approval on January 29. Selected from 35 candidates, McElroy was serving as the Interim Fire Chief following the retirement of Andy DiMizio in December. Chief McElroy will oversee the Fire Department's $22 million budget and 110 employees in eight fire stations.

Chief McElroy has worked with the City's Fire Department for 32 years, where he has served in various leadership positions since 1990. In his most recent position as the Fire Operations Division Chief, he managed 95 firefighting personnel, eight fire stations, and the airport rescue and firefighting operation. He has extensive experience cooperating with regional and state fire agencies and commanding citywide emergencies, including the most recent Tea and Jesusita Fires. He received a Bachelor's degree from UCSB.

According to City Administrator Jim Armstrong, "It was a well qualified group of finalists and, in the end, I chose Chief McElroy due to his overall qualifications, his tenure with the department, and his performance during his acting chief assignment. He is well regarded within the department and by fire professionals in the region." As part of the recruitment effort, Armstrong consulted community members, members of the Fire and Police Commission, firefighter association representatives, and technical experts.

Chief McElroy lives in Santa Barbara with his wife Bonnie Kerwin and children Darcy, Brendan, and Duffy.

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Santa Barbara City Fire Department has named Pat McElroy its new fire chief. (01/30/13)

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Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 367147P	2013-01-24 06:19 PM
Congratulations-a well earned promotion. Santa Barbara has done well.
MOMMAME	2013-01-24 07:38 PM
So glad they hired from within. It makes me mad when SB has great employees who do such a good job and they always seem to hire from elsewhere. Let's hope the next time we need a new police chief, they hire someone with a history with the SBPD!
COMMENT 367185	2013-01-24 07:50 PM
Pat willl make the change a smooth transition. He comes from within and knows the department from the ground up. Oiur fire protection is in good hands.
AQUAHOLIC	2013-01-25 08:35 AM
Congrats Pat Mac!....now, go find the little red knife.
COMMENT 367282	2013-01-25 08:57 AM
Bet he retires in 3 years - last year he maxes out vacation/sick pay to boost his pension income. He then hands the job of the next guy in line. Do you realize we are paying for 6 fire chiefs right now (5 retired and still getting full pay and benefits and providing zero value). Yes - I am venting. Private sector is belt tightening while public sector is getting fatter.
COMMENT 367345	2013-01-25 10:30 AM
Best wishes Pat, he was a great choice. to 282, the retired chiefs are paid by PERS not the city. The city contributed to the retirement while they were working after retirement PERS picks up the retirement pay.
COMMENT 367351	2013-01-25 10:41 AM
282 Don't hate the player hate the game! Oh and don't let jealousy eat u alive. U should have picked a better career if yours sucks.
SPARKEY	2013-01-25 08:44 PM
Happy to see that they promoted within. I'm sure he knows the area and its needs better than anyone from any outside organization.

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