Pat McElroy Appointed City Fire Chief
Chosen From 35 Candidates After National Recruiting Effort
Pat McElroy, serving as the City of Santa Barbara’s Interim Fire Chief since Andy DiMizio stepped down in December, has been officially appointed to the top post. Pending council approval January 29, he’ll oversee the fire department’s $22 million budget and 110 employees in eight fire stations.
McElroy was one of 35 candidates for the job and was ultimately picked by City Administrator Jim Armstrong after an intensive recruitment process. “It was a well qualified group of finalists and, in the end, I chose Chief McElroy due to his overall qualifications, his tenure with the department, and his performance during his acting chief assignment,” Armstrong said in a statement. “He is well regarded within the department and by fire professionals in the region.”
McElroy has worked in the city’s fire department for 32 years, most recently as the Fire Operations Division Chief. A UCSB graduate, he’s married with three kids.
