Santa Barbara Appoints Interim Fire Chief

By edhat staff

The City of Santa Barbara has appointed Battalion Chief Chris Mailes as the interim fire chief of the Santa Barbara City Fire Department.

A native of Santa Barbara, Mailes has a political science degree from UC Santa Barbara and is a licensed paramedic.

He has served the Fire Department for 28 years and replaces Eric Nickel who took over the department in January 2019.

Mailes will fill the position for six months, while the City recruits for a permanent replacement.

Chris Mailes (courtesy photo)