County Bids Farewell to Fire Chief

The five Santa Barbara County supervisors took turns on Tuesday heaping praise upon outgoing Fire Chief Michael Dyer, who retired on January 16 after 36 years in public safety, the last five-plus of which were spent heading the department.

Dyer came aboard in August 2009 during hard financial times. Now, the department, with a $60 million budget, faces a solid fiscal future thanks in large part to a property-tax shift spearheaded by Dyer in 2012 that put more money toward County Fire. “You’ve taken a good department and brought it to greatness,” said Supervisor Salud Carbajal. “You’re going to be sorely missed.”

Last week, the supervisors unanimously appointed Deputy Chief Eric Peterson — a 28-year department veteran — to fill Dyer’s shoes starting on February 2. (Dyer is staying on as Interim Chief in the meantime.) Peterson bestowed a retirement badge upon “great boss” Dyer. “You’re going to be a tough act to follow, but I’m very much looking forward to the challenge,” he said.