1 2025
Annual Report
Attachment A
2 Table of Contents
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 13
14 Chief’s Message
Mission, Vision, Values
Santa Maria City Profile
Department Overview
Organization Chart
Stations
Suppression Statistics
Significant Events
A Special Thank You
15 16
18 19
21 22
23 24
26 Palisades Fire Photos
Fire Prevention Bureau
Public Education and
Community Outreach
Training and Safety
Firefighter of the Year
Staff Highlights
S.M.F.D. Welcomes Kai
Peer Support Dog
Operations Highlights
Photos
3 Chief’s Message
It is my privilege to present this annual
report. I feel honored to share the
accomplishments of the Santa Maria Fire
Department (SMFD) throughout 2025. As
the Fire Chief, I have the great fortune of
leading a department staffed by highly skilled
individuals dedicated to serving our
community. From the firefighters in the
stations and mechanics who continuously
maintain the readiness of our fire apparatus,
to the inspectors and administrative support
personnel who work diligently behind the
scenes to ensure a fire-safe community,
SMFD serves the largest city in the county
with skill, dedication, and resolve.
The year 2025 was transformational for this
department. The SMFD enhanced services
for our firefighters and the entire community.
We welcomed the addition of a peer support
dog, Kai. Assigned to an engine Captain at
Fire Station 4, he supports members with the
mental health challenges that all firefighters
face each day. The opening of Fire Station 6
was an investment that strengthened coverage to the southern and western portions of our city. Overall response times have improved, solidifying our operational reach.
We have also transitioned to a Regional Fire
Communications Center (RFCC), in
partnership with all county fire departments.
The new dispatch center operates under a
“boundary drop” model, in which the
geographically closest and most appropriate
resources for each emergency incident are
dispatched.
The safest fire is the one that never starts.
For that reason, the SMFD continues to
invest in fire prevention. This year, the Fire
Prevention division expanded their
comprehensive inspection schedule for
commercial properties. These inspections
ensure that businesses, schools, and public
spaces remain safe and compliant with
evolving building and fire codes.
The culmination of the efforts listed above
has resulted in important recognition by the
Insurance Services Office (ISO). The
department’s ISO rating has improved from
a 3/3X to 2/2X, placing us among the
top-performing departments nationwide.
This rating change helps lower insurance
costs for businesses and residents across the
service area.
As we look forward to 2026, the City is still
facing financial challenges. Santa Maria
continues to grow as a community, and its
needs increase commensurately. As a
department, we are finding new
enhancements that allow us to continue
providing, or improve upon, the exceptional
service level currently afforded to all who
need it. We stand not only as responders but
as planners, problem-solvers, and
neighbors—building a department that
reflects the values and strengths of the
community we serve.
Bradley J. Dandridge
4 MISSION
VISION
VALUES
We are committed to enhancing public safety through:
· Risk Prevention
· Disaster Preparedness
· Emergency Services
We are an organization that
· Is a regional leader in all-risk services
provided to our community, our
stakeholders, and our peers.
· Collaborates effectively with internal and
external partners.
We:
· Put others first with pride, honor, and
integrity.
· Believe in the value of teamwork.
· Recognize that each person in the
department is a vital member of a family
that values honesty, fairness, respect, and
openness.
· Believe our members are our most
valuable resource. We are committed to
providing the best wellness programs for
our members’ health and operational
readiness.
· Support continued excellence in
recruitment, training, and career
development.
· Believe in being future focused through
continuous improvement and innovation.
· Are committed to being prudent
stewards of the resources provided.
f
· Achieves excellence and professional
growth within our workforce.
· Provides resources that serve the diverse
nature of our community.
· Is a trusted and compassionate partner.
5 Santa Maria City Profile
SMFD Personnel Profile
Sworn Safety 76
Civilian 7
Sworn Non-Safety 4
Total Employees 87
Minimum Daily Staffing 23
112,208
Population
23 Square
Miles
Land Area
4,916/Sq. Mile
Population Density
60th in CA
Population Rank
6 Department Overview
The Santa Maria Fire Department provides a comprehensive range of rapid response services, as well as in-depth educational and planning services. Through dedication to public safety, our goal is to protect and preserve the environment and property with efficient and effective action.
The Santa Maria Fire Department has a total
budget of $26.85 million. Of that amount, 53% is
provided by the City’s General fund, and the remaining 47% is provided by Measure U. The budget funds both sworn and non-sworn personnel across four divisions: Administration, Operations, Prevention, and Training. As an allhazards fire department, SMFD provides traditional fire suppression, basic life support (BLS) level medical first-response, heavy rescue and
extrication, and hazardous materials incident
management. It is also a member of the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) Regional Task Force 12.
The department’s prevention division works to
reduce the community’s fire and life safety risks.
This is accomplished through the prevention of
fire and the investigation of its causes when it
occurs. Supplementing those efforts are public
education, community outreach, planning, coordination, training, and City Emergency Preparedness Plan implementation programs. Backed by the resources of the city, the department capably fulfills its responsibilities and obligations to the residents, businesses, and visitors of Santa
Maria.
Our Services:
· Fire Suppression
· Emergency Medical Care
· Heavy Rescue &
· Extrication
· Hazardous Materials
· Mutual Aid Response to
Neighboring Jurisdictions
· Fire Investigations
· Fire Prevention
· Public Education &
Information
SMFD 25-26 Budget - $26.85M
7 Department Organization Chart
Fire Chief
Deputy
Fire Chief
Business Administrative Program Leader
Assistant
Prevention Operations Training
Battalion
Chiefs
Administrative
Battalion
Chief
Captains
Civilian Training
Coordinator
Civilian Safety
Coordinator
Training
Captain
Engineers
Fire Marshal
Office Assistant
Fire Inspectors
Emergency
Service
Specialist
Firefighters
8 Stations
Station 1
300 W. Cook St.
Station 2
416 W. Carmen Ln.
Station 3
2305 N. Preisker Ln.
Station 4
2637 S. College Dr.
Station 5
1670 E. Donovan Rd.
Station 6
3339 Terminal Dr.
9 Average Response Time By Unit and District (minutes) MEDICAL STRUCTURE FIRE E1 E2 E3 E4 E5 E6 T1
4:35 5:50 5:40 4:30 4:36 5:21 4:35
5:29 5:12 5:10 5:10 4:30 6:30 5:33
5:33 3:27 5:16 4:46 5:27 3:29 5:54
6:59 5:58 7:33 4:40 3:53 6:24 5:14
5:02 5:06 5:42 4:42 4:53 7:31 5:25
8:29 7:30 3:15 5:15
6:01 5:30 5:52 4:30 4:39 5:45 5:20
5:10 5:57 5:29 5:17 5:17 6:12 5:29
5:38 5:34 5:08 5:38 5:26 5:40 5:38
4:34 4:37 5:06 4:30 4:46 6:03 4:46
6:44 5:45 6:44 5:45 6:44 7:53 6:44
7:53 7:53 7:53 7:53 5:37 5:37
*No fires occurred in District 6
5:59 5:57 6:04 5:48 5:34 6:27 5:38
D1
D2
D3
D4
D5
D6
AVG.
D1
D2
D3
D4
D5
D6
AVG.
Suppression Statistics
10 E305…………………………………….23
E101…………………………………...128
E103…………………………………...168
E104…………………………………...150
ARFF 6………………………………...115
BS1…………………………………….161
USAR 2………………………………… 10
Battalion Chief Responses
B1……………………………………...166
B2……………………………………...320
B3……………………………………...188
B4……………………………………….16
B5……………………………………...185
Prevention & Training Responses
P1………………………………………...2
P2……………………………………….20
P3……………………………………….37
P4………………………………………...8
P5……………………………………….26
Training………………………………….2
RE101…………………………………..39
Response Total: 16,710*
Employee Acknowledgement
Engineer Leonel Salas responded to the most calls in
2025 at 1,282 calls!
We extend our sincere appreciation to Engineer Salas
for consistently being there when it mattered most,
leading in call volume and demonstrating exceptional
dedication, dependability, and commitment to serving
our community.
Apparatus Responses
E1…………………………………….3,909
E2…………………………………….2,470
E3…………………………………….2,148
E4…………………………………….1,547
E5…………………………………….2,327
E6…………………………………….. 953
T1……………………………………. 1,581
*Incidents, such as a structure fire, may have
multiple units assigned. This is why there are
16,857 responses to the total of 13,138 incidents.
11 52 Structure Fires in 2025
Santa Maria Fire Department responded to 52
structure fires throughout
our community in 2025.
The above map displays
the general locations of
these incidents by council district.
The Santa Maria Fire Department recommends installing at least one working smoke alarm in every home. A smoke alarm provides an early warning signal of a fire. It also significantly reduces the risk of fire or other related injuries by providing occupants enough time to safely evacuate before smoke and flames reach dangerous levels. 12 2025 Structure Fires
13 “When Engine 3 was deployed to the Eaton Fire on January 7th, the crew was aware of the fire’s rapid progression. What they didn’t know was this was going to be the most tiresome, emotional, and toughest 36 hours of their careers.” - Firefighter Andrew Klein
Significant Events
Captain Pontes, Engineer Fawcett, and Firefighters Franklin and Klein were sent to Ganesha Avenue in Altadena, CA where the fire was rapidly spreading into a neighborhood of homes. Winds were in excess of 100 mph, communications were down and there was fire everywhere they turned. There was more work than hands. A single water source was found and the fight was on.
All four members were heavily engaged in firefighting efforts for several consecutive hours. They weathered downed live power lines, heavy fire conditions, golf ball sized ember casts, dense blinding smoke, collapsing walls and explosions from vehicles and propane tanks. That was only phase one.
The second wave of fires broke out after daybreak. Not only were there countless fires to combat, but also the human side of the incident started to emerge. Worried residents were now panicked and quickly returning to the hazardous area without regard for their own safety or the crews still working in the fire area. Residents reentering houses that were still burning, driving rapidly past working fire crews, and walking around live power lines. Another hard component of this fire was the countless number of residents standing in the street waving down passing fire crew.
Unfortunately, there was no water supply to engage those fires for an effective stop. In addition to the lack of water, Engine 3 was forced to drive miles outside of the fire area to get fuel from a lone operating gas station in Pasadena that had power. The next 24 hours were a blur as Engine 3 and numerous other fire resources continued to save what they could from this historic conflagration.
At rough estimates, Engine 3 saved fifteen homes and one church worth approximately $28 million. Although the crew wished they could’ve saved more, it was an absolute miracle these properties were saved from the path of this ferocious inferno with extremely scarce resources.
Engine 3’s crew was proud to have represented the Santa Maria FD during one of the most historic wildfire events in California and US history. - Andrew Klein
14 A Special Thank You to E305 Crew
“Since we evacuated from the fire in Malibu,
we have been ‘on the run’ so to speak hopping hotels and now in Connecticut with my mom. Our pad survived but has ash and fire
damage and the air is so toxic there now.
This is our story.”
I am forever grateful to the Santa Maria firefighters as I heard they arrived moments after we fled in the middle of the night - maybe 2 or 3 AM.
No one else would help us, not even the fireman on the Pacific Coast Highway as maybe they gave up due to the strong winds or maybe their job was to evacuate people.
My husband and I have this amazing bungalow in Malibu backed up to a canyon with delicious ocean views. We just experienced and fought a fire a month prior with our neighbors all night as the super soakers and helicopter drops arrived just in time as the sun rose. But this fire we never in our wild dreams expected it to come all the way from the Palisades and take out the PCH homes on the beach. I saw the smoke billow out over the ocean around 10 AM from my yoga view and was about to start my day as a writer.
We assumed it would be knocked out but knew we were on our own once the 80-100 mph winds grounded all aircraft around 5 PM. When we learned the fire had hit Big Rock about 10 minutes away, we knew it was time for my husband and I and our neighbors to step into battle. We had been through this several times before and my husband knew this drill after living in Malibu for over 20 years.
But this was different, a fire tornado of sorts with walls of fire coming our way from LA, then down our back canyon, and even from the west. We all worked together to get 4-5 hoses going for hours wetting down our little pad along with all the neighbors as well as the canyon, trees, and anything that could catch on fire, removing anything that could fly in the air and act like a torch. Neighbors filled buckets with water and rags to put out spot fires. At one point I was the only girl as the men went up and down the ladders in the middle of the night and prepared for the worse. We were determined to not lose our homes, places we have all grown to love as our complex is like a Melrose Place of sorts where we all check on each other, get each other's mail, and arrive at each other’s doors unannounced to hang or go for a surf, paddle, swim, or beach walk.
The smoke was as thick as a New England fog but acrid. I had passed out former N95 masks from the pandemic out to neighbors and I tried to use old sunglasses to protect my eyes as the last fire caused my eyes to bleed black for days.
Then the monster came, it barreled towards us creating a wind. The ashes rained over us and for a period of time were flying almost to the PCH between a mansion and our bungalows. I was the girl in charge of screaming for embers as 4-5 guys ran to put them out. It felt like a horror movie happening all over again as we just experienced this less than a month ago.
Then 3-4 of us braced ourselves in the back canyon and the ashes rained in big plumes. We all knew, "TIME TO GO!"
I was afraid the flickering embers would set me on fire. We had our cars parked at the bottom of the road on the PCH ready to flee and I always knew my last resort would be to run across the street and jump in the ocean. We learned in the previous fire that it could hop the highway fast.
As I ran down our driveway with the heat and ashes at our backside, I broke down as I imagined everything in our home of love being incinerated. I screamed and screamed at that fire, NOOOOOOOO and broke down hysterically crying as I ran to make sure everyone was out. We hopped in our cars and felt defeated as we knew there was no way our sunny home would be still standing.
After dropping off my husband's car randomly in some neighborhood in Pt Dume since we were afraid it could get towed somewhere else, we chose to escape on Kanen Dume as the other way out was now all burned and Malibu Canyon sounded like a horrible idea with falling boulders, high winds, and the potential of getting trapped with fire. There wasn't another soul in sight at 3 AM as we drove through the canyon except a massive shooting star straight in front of us that vertically shot from the heavens to our car.
I was numb and silent as we had no idea what hotel we could find at this hour near LAX as I had a plane to catch a few hours later as a travel writer. Around 5 AM exhausted and smelling like a burnt barbecue, we received a text from a neighbor letting us know our place was still there. We could not imagine how or even believe this was possible after what we witnessed. We later learned the Santa Maria firefighters showed up and my neighbor asked them, "Please, please don't let our places burn down." And they didn't give up on us.
We learned they pulled up 4-5 hoses all the way from the PCH to our backyard canyon. Somewhere I saw a video of the big hose running by our front door. I am forever grateful and indebted to these brave souls who risked their lives to fight 3 walls of fire coming from every direction. I put a shout out on social media thanking them as I wanted them to know how much we appreciated this brave act.
A few days later the wife of the captain of the Santa Maria Fire Department reached out to me to let me know how much it meant to them that I thanked them as they were so happy to hear my words. She let me know her husband was in the red hat in videos I posted from neighbors and that they had been in the area to Thursday around 10 AM. She said they were the same crew that were there last month. Wow. I was stunned and amazed.
If there is ever a time to support our firefighters, it is now. I am humbled by their jobs and tasks they face on a regular basis.
With much love and respect,
-Melissa C.
Palisades Fire, January 2025
15 Palisades Fire, January 2025
16 Fire Prevention Bureau
2025 was another busy year for the Fire Prevention Bureau! On March 12, 2025, we were notified by the California State Fire Marshal’s Office that the new state High Fire Severity Map now includes areas in Santa Maria. The State requires local agencies to adopt an ordinance to recognize these new designations. The ordinance was successfully adopted on May 6, 2025. Additionally, the 2022 California Fire Code was successfully adopted on December 2, 2025.
ANNUAL INSPECTIONS PERMIT INSPECTIONS
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW CFC INSPECTIONS
THE COMPLIANCE ENGINE REPORT
REVIEWS
INVESTIGATIONS
Assembly Inspections 169
R-1/R-2 Inspections 341
T-19 Inspections 148
Reinspections 709
Other Inspections 96
Totals: 1,463
Alarm Inspections 42
Sprinkler Inspections 95
Business License Inspections 53
Fire Final Inspections 758
Temporary C of O* Inspections 2
Totals: 950
* Certificate of Occupancy
Building Permit Related 528
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) 542
Planned Development (DRM) 45
Business License Reviews 291
Totals: 1,406
Hazardous Material Inspections 47
Commercial Building Inspections 350
Operational Permit Inspections 7
Complaint Inspections 35
Totals: 439
Compliant 2,212
Deficient 332
Totals: 2,544
Accidental 30
Suspicious 37
Intentional 42
Totals: 109
17 Fire Prevention Bureau Highlights
Commercial Occupancy Inspection Program:
The Commercial Occupancy Inspection Program continues to evolve. Since the program was launched in July 2023, over 820 commercial occupancies have been inspected with approximately 200 more to be inspected by the end of June 2026. The goal is to inspect commercial occupancies approximately every three years. The next three-year cycle begins in July 2026.
Fire Investigations:
The Santa Maria Fire Department increased our level of service to the residents with the addition of an On Call Fire Investigation Program June 28, 2025. Since this addition, there is a qualified fire investigator available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including evenings, weekends and holidays. In 2025, a total of 109 fire investigations were conducted resulting in 12 arson arrests.
Special Events:
The Fire Prevention Bureau reviews inspects, and approves special events such as parades, block parties, and outdoor events. This ensures emergency access, fire safety, and temporary structures are installed and maintained in accordance with the California Fire Code. The Fire Prevention Bureau reviewed and approved 26 events for 2025.
Fireworks Enforcement:
With assistance of the Santa Maria Police Department, officers and fire inspectors were on duty for fireworks enforcement July 1st through the 4th. Each evening, one police officer and one fire inspector were assigned to monitor neighborhoods for illegal fireworks activity. Additionally, an aircraft with specialized equipment was utilized on the night of the 4th. A total of 119 administrative citations were issued. One arrest was made July 3rd for the possession and sale of illegal fireworks.
Public Outreach:
The Emergency Services Specialist with support from the Fire Prevention Bureau and engine companies conducted 87 public education outreach programs resulting in contact with approximately 10,800 residents. 18 Public Education & Community Outreach
The Santa Maria Fire Department has significantly
expanded its public outreach efforts:
87public education events connected with approximately 10,800 Santa Maria residents.
These efforts were made possible through the dedication of 66staff members who collectively contributed
740 hours of service to the community.
Through these outreach initiatives, the
department continues to strengthen
community relationships, promote fire and
life safety education, and enhance overall
public awareness and preparedness. We
extend a special thank you to our
Emergency Services Specialist, Roy Dugger,
who hosted 30+ CERT and Emergency
Preparedness programs for our community in
2025.
19 Training & Safety
Department Training Hours
Administration
Driver Operator
EMS
Fire Prevention
Fireground Operations
Rescue Practices
Wildland
Training Documentation Forms
ARFF Tracking
Target Solutions Course
Total
The Santa Maria Fire Department had
another busy year in 2025, with an emphasis
on maintaining and enhancing the skills of our
personnel to meet Federal, State, and
Department standards.
As part of our annual certification process, our
members participate in a comprehensive range of
training courses, including Emergency Medical
Services (EMS), Wildland Firefighting, Structural
Firefighting, Technical Rescue, Apparatus
movement and Airport Rescue Firefighting (ARFF)
to name a few.
The year 2025 brought the consolidation of all Santa Barbara County fire agencies into one dispatch center. In preparation, Santa Maria Fire, Santa
Barbara County Fire, Santa Maria Police and
Santa Barbara County Sheriffs worked with new
dispatchers on fire ground operations, firefighter
emergencies, and active shooter scenarios. This
joint training helped ensure a smooth transition
into the new regional dispatch center.
Santa Maria Fire saw 7 firefighters successfully
complete their years long probationary period.
This included quarterly written and manipulative
exams. The department also conducted captain
and engineer promotional exams. These
promotional opportunities are highly competitive
with each member putting in hundreds of preparation training hours. The department strives to provide a clear, consistent, and achievable path for its members professional development.
In 2025 Santa Maria Fire hosted the Company
Officer training series here in the City. Conducting
these classes locally provided wider access to the
classes at a significantly reduced cost.
2,084.75
713.75
1,212.00
324.00
4,574.60
2,589.50
907.50
7,033.25
406.60
1,179.20
21,025.15
20 2025 Training Photos
21 Firefighter of the Year
Engineer Nicholas R. Ducasse was named the
Santa Maria Fire Department’s Firefighter of
the Year. This is an honor recognizing members who exemplify the highest ideals of the fire service through outstanding character,
service, and professional achievement. The
annual award is presented to an individual
who demonstrates a notable record of service, giving selflessly in support of the department, the fire service as a whole, and the community served. Colleagues describe Engineer Ducasse as humble and quietly professional, noting his strong work ethic, energetic approach to daily responsibilities, and consistently positive outlook. He is widely regarded as someone who can be counted on to support others, regardless of the situation, reflecting a team-first mindset in all aspects of his work. Within the organization, Engineer Ducasse is known for providing steady strength and stability, and his contributions continue to have a meaningful impact on both the department and the community. His selection as Firefighter of the Year reflects the respect of his peers and highlights a continued commitment to service, professionalism, and the values of the Santa Maria Fire Department.
22 Tracy Aris retired in December after 35 years of
public service. She began her career with the
City of Santa Maria’s Building Division on May 13,
1989, and transferred to the Fire Department on
July 19, 1995, as an Office Assistant. She was promoted to Secretary on July 5, 1997, Management Analyst/Business Program Leader on August 6,
2016, and finally Program Leader on July 1, 2023.
Tracy was responsible for a variety of programs
within the department and specifically Fire Department finances. Her institutional knowledge will be missed. Thank you for your service, Tracy.
Staff Highlights
Retirement
Promotions
Deputy Chief
Shane Brown
Captain
Cody Joy
Captain
A.J. Tevis
Engineer
Kevin Vasquez
Engineer
Shea Weidler
Battalion Chief
Anthony Morales
Tracy Aris
23 Santa Maria Fire Department Welcomes K9 Kai to Peer Support Team In early 2025, the Santa Maria Fire Department
proudly welcomed a new and very special
member to its peer support team, K9 Kai.
Specially trained as a peer support and wellness
dog, Kai plays an important role in supporting the
mental and emotional well-being of first
responders.
Working alongside his handler, Captain Chad
Wennerstrom, Kai provides vital services to
members of the Santa Maria Fire Department, as
well as other fire, law enforcement, and emergency service agencies throughout the county and state. These services include peer support, critical incident stress debriefing, and suicide intervention. Captain Wennerstrom and Kai have responded to local incidents as well and the Eaton Fire in Altadena in January 2025.
First responders routinely face high-stress and traumatic situations, making access to compassionate and effective support essential. Kai’s presence helps create a calming environment, encouraging open conversation and emotional connection during difficult moments. The addition of Kai reflects the Santa Maria Fire Department’s ongoing commitment to prioritizing mental health, resilience, and overall wellness for those who serve our community.
Kai was professionally trained by New Life K9s in San Luis Obispo and was generously donated by ONE805 Santa Barbara, whose continued support of first responder wellness programs has made this valuable resource possible. 24 Operations Highlights
In March, 2025, Engine 6 was placed into service, operating out of the Santa Maria Airport Fire Station 6. Engine 6 provides fire protection and emergency response to the southwest region of the City and surrounding areas. With its implementation, your SMFD now staffs 23 firefighters on a daily basis.
Two Type 6 engines were placed
into service in 2025. They were
quickly put to use in the Santa
Maria riverbed on multiple fires in
May. In July, E604 responded for
the first time as part of a strike
team assigned to the Gifford Fire in
the Los Padres National Forest, assisting with the contracted Master Mutual Aid Agreement.
25 In June, the Regional Fire Communication Center went live for all Santa Barabara County fire agencies. This regional dispatch center provides closest unit response and seamless communication between agencies. This allows any type of emergency to be handled more quickly and efficiently than ever before.
In 2025, your SMFD improved our Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating from a Class 3 to a Class 2. ISO ratings are based on multiple components such as Staffing, Apparatus, Training, Dispatch/ Communications, Water Supply, Prevention and Public
Education. The lower the ISO rating the lower the insurance premiums in that area. Only about 5% of fire departments achieve a Class 2 rating and only 1% achieve a Class 1 rating.
Operations Highlights
26 27
@SantaMariaCityFire
@SantaMariaFireDepartment
@SMFDHQ
314 W. Cook Street #8
Santa Maria, CA, 93458