Santa Maria fire chief highlights station expansion, ISO rating and new emergency-mapping tool
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Summary
Fire Chief Brad Dengreens and staff described new station investments, a high ISO rating for the department and deployment of a real-time evacuation mapping platform called Genesis.
Fire Chief Brad Dengreens told attendees that the fire department has expanded capacity with a new Station 6, upgraded apparatus and additional staff, and that those investments support response across the city and the county.
The chief said the department now serves an estimated population of about 110,000 across more than 23 square miles and has seen a roughly 15% increase in call volume from 2024 to 2025. He noted the department responded to nearly 500 structure fires in the previous year and performs rescues and public service calls in addition to fire suppression.
Dengreens highlighted a recent external rating award that recognizes the department's preparedness (he cited an ISO rating improvement) and said such ratings can reduce insurance costs for residences and businesses. He described planned station modernizations and a proposed new station near the 101 corridor to serve future expansion.
The fire chief also introduced "Genesis," a real-time mapping and evacuation coordination platform the department will use in emergencies to show closures and evacuation routes. He said the tool will improve interagency coordination during large incidents.
Why it matters: Station locations, apparatus and interoperability tools shape response times and outcomes for emergencies. The city's investments in stations and mapping affect readiness as Santa Maria grows.
Details and context: The chief linked station expansions and technology investments to the city's 2024 plan and to anticipated growth. He said the department continues to plan personnel and equipment investments consistent with the master plan for the next decade.
