Regional Fire Communications Center Now at Full Operation Allowing For Streamlined Dispatch of All Fire and Medical Calls

The County of Santa Barbara has successfully transitioned all  seven local fire departments and medical 9-1-1 calls to the new Regional Fire  Communications Center (RFCC). It centralizes dispatch, making operations more efficient  by sending the closest and most appropriate available crews regardless of agency or  jurisdiction.  

The Regional Fire Communications Center (RFCC) was first approved by the Santa Barbara  County Board of Supervisors in 2017 and broke ground in April 2023. Located at 4406 Cathedral Oaks Road, it transitioned to full operation on June 30th, 2025 after years of  planning, interagency collaboration, and construction.  

The Regional Fire Communications Center (RFCC) dispatches for the Santa Barbara County  Fire Department, Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District, Santa Barbara City Fire  Department, Montecito Fire Protection District, Lompoc Fire Department, Guadalupe Fire  Department, Santa Maria Fire Department, and American Medical Response (AMR). 

The Regional Fire Communications Center (RFCC) dispatch call takers are trained as  Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMD). They provide pre-arrival instructions for each  emergency call, including lifesaving skills such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). 

“Completing this transition marks a major step forward in regional emergency response,”  said Santa Barbara County Fire Chief / Fire Warden Mark A. Hartwig. “The RFCC allows us  to deliver faster, more coordinated service by connecting 911 callers with resources  throughout Santa Barbara County, regardless of jurisdiction.”  

“This facility represents years of planning and teamwork across multiple agencies,” said  Garret Huff, Project Manager and Deputy Fire Chief of Emergency Services for Santa 

Barbara County Fire. “The RFCC is designed to dissolve jurisdictional barriers and ensure  seamless communication among agencies so that help reaches the public as quickly and  efficiently as possible.” 

“Serving all of our communities in a more robust and efficient manner was the guiding  principle of the operational area fire chiefs and their elected leadership,” said David Neels,  President of the Fire Chiefs Association of Santa Barbara County. “Our desire to work  together is a true benefit to all citizens of the county.” 

An official ribbon cutting ceremony will be held later this year to celebrate this important  milestone and showcase the new facility.