Montecito Fire Department Hires New Fire Chief

Brian Fallon brings over 20 years of experience to the role.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:18pm

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The Montecito Fire Protection District has officially named Brian Fallon as its new Fire Chief, effective April 1, following the retirement of longtime Chief David Neels. Fallon brings more than two decades of fire service experience to the role, most recently serving as Fire Chief for the Lompoc City Fire Department.

Why it matters

The Montecito Fire Department plays a critical role in protecting the community, and the transition to new leadership is an important event. Fallon's extensive experience in fire service and his commitment to modernizing operations are expected to benefit the department and the residents it serves.

The details

Fallon began his career in emergency medical services as an EMT and paramedic in Riverside, California. He later joined the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District as a firefighter/paramedic, rising through the ranks to engineer and captain. Fallon later served as a battalion chief with the Victorville Fire Department before being promoted to Fire Chief. He then moved to Santa Barbara County in 2023 to lead the Lompoc Fire Department, where he worked to replace the department's fleet of firefighting apparatus and add a second wildland engine.

  • Brian Fallon will officially assume the role of Montecito Fire Chief on April 1, 2026.
  • David Neels retired from his position as Montecito Fire Chief on March 31, 2026, after more than 36 years in public safety.

The players

Brian Fallon

The new Fire Chief of the Montecito Fire Protection District, bringing over 20 years of fire service experience to the role.

David Neels

The former Fire Chief of the Montecito Fire Protection District, who retired on March 31, 2026, after more than 36 years in public safety.

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What they’re saying

“I am genuinely humbled and honored to join Montecito Fire Department. My goal is to provide our personnel with the tools and resources they need to effectively do their job while looking for opportunities to maintain and enhance our services for the community's benefit.”

— Brian Fallon, Fire Chief, Montecito Fire Protection District

What’s next

Fallon will work closely with the Montecito Fire Protection District's leadership and community stakeholders to develop a strategic plan for the department's future, focusing on modernizing operations and enhancing service delivery.

The takeaway

The appointment of Brian Fallon as the new Montecito Fire Chief represents a significant transition for the department, bringing in an experienced leader with a track record of modernizing fire service operations. This change in leadership is expected to benefit the Montecito community by ensuring the fire department is equipped to effectively respond to emergencies and protect the public.