Fire chief reports return from Los Angeles strike team; council told staff will seek to backfill position for preparedness

Guadalupe’s public safety director reported to the City Council on Jan. 28 that the city’s fire strike team returned after a 12-day deployment to assist with wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

The chief said a debrief with crew leaders identified operational issues and rotation needs to ensure firefighters receive adequate rest. He said staff are preparing notifications and an emergency-preparedness training program for the community and plan to present a budget request next fiscal year to backfill a vacant fire position.

The chief noted federal funding uncertainty for mutual aid resources and potential restructuring that may increase local responsibilities; he said the Santa Barbara County Fire Chiefs Association is working with local jurisdictions to prepare mutual-aid procedures and public messaging about defensible-space clearing to reduce wildfire risk.

The chief also told council staff had reviewed municipal code provisions related to trash cans left in the street after pickup and would meet with the city administrator to develop time-limited regulations and enforcement steps to address abandoned containers and unauthorized blocking of parking in the public right-of-way.

Council members asked about call statistics and coverage; the chief said the department tracks 5‑year statistics and will provide trend information for the council retreat and goal-setting session. He also noted response-time goals, discussed station locations relative to population shifts, and indicated staff will present further recommendations.