The City of Goleta welcomes our new Fire Chief Garrett Huff. Chief Huff brings more than two decades of experience in Santa Barbara County fire and emergency services and a demonstrated record of leadership across emergency operations, emergency medical services, wildland fire response, and disaster preparedness. As the Santa Barbara County Fire Chief, he provides executive leadership for an all-hazards fire department serving diverse communities throughout Santa Barbara County, including the City of Goleta.

“I am honored to serve as the Santa Barbara County Fire Chief and to continue supporting the City of Goleta,” said Huff. “The Fire District model allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality emergency services across the region while remaining responsive to the unique needs of each community we serve. I look forward to building on the long-standing relationships that we have established with Goleta’s officials, City staff, and residents.”

Prior to his appointment as Fire Chief, Chief Huff served in several senior leadership roles within the Department, most recently as Deputy Fire Chief overseeing Emergency Medical Services, the new Regional Fire Communication Center, logistics, and support services. In these roles, he led complex, multi-agency initiatives, strengthened regional coordination, and emphasized accountability, operational readiness, and fiscal stewardship.

Chief Huff is pursuing a Master of Public Administration with planned completion this summer and is recognized for his collaborative leadership style, commitment to workforce development and firefighter wellness, and focus on transparent, data-informed decision-making in the public interest.

We appreciate the strong partnership between the City of Goleta and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department in protecting life, property, and the environment.