Edhat Staff
Chief Eric Peterson (courtesy photo)
By edhat staff
Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Eric Peterson announced his retirement on Friday stating he will officially retire at the end of October.
Chief Peterson had informally discussed his plan with family and friends but a formal announcement was made this week.
Peterson was appointed Fire Chief in January 2015. He served as a firefighter, engineer, Captain, President of Firefighters Local 2046, Training Battalion Chief, Operations Battalion Chief, Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Chief, and Fire Chief for Santa Barbara County over the past 32 years.
“I have had the pleasure of working with a great team of firefighters and support staff at the department, the support of wonderful operational area partners, and support from the Board of Supervisors and County Executive Officer. It is hard to ask for anything better,” said Peterson.
Chief Peterson lives in Santa Barbara with his wife, Kit, and eight-year-old twins Phoebe and Zander.
The County of Santa Barbara will name an interim Fire Chief prior to Peterson’s departure. A comprehensive recruitment for a permanent replacement will begin this month.
Expect one of two things (or even both):
1. He announces that he is running for political office (in light of his extensive comments on political stuff recently).
2. He finds another job in a nearby fire department which will allow him to get a second pension in a few years (the most typical fire fighter scheme).
Also interesting that this announcement was made on Friday of the slowest news day of the year.
Heard this story many times before. Add in the disability factor so a large portion of the pension is tax-free. They all know the drill.