Carpinteria Fire Department welcomes inspectors Van Joy and Garcia to the team

The Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District held its meeting on February 5, 2025, focusing on key personnel introductions, financial matters, and community support initiatives.

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the introduction of two new fire inspectors, Van Joy and Megan Garcia. Both inspectors, who have strong local ties and relevant experience, were welcomed to the board. Joy, a Carpinteria native, brings extensive fire protection knowledge, while Garcia, also from Carpinteria, has a background in fire prevention and logistics from her previous role at Santa Barbara County Fire.

In addition to personnel updates, the board expressed gratitude towards the 1 8 0 5 organization, a nonprofit that has significantly supported local fire districts and public safety agencies. A letter of appreciation highlighted their contributions, including funding for mental health programs for firefighters and substantial equipment donations, amounting to $50,000 this year alone.

The meeting also covered financial matters, including the approval of minutes from the previous meeting and a review of financial reports. The board confirmed that they are well below the appropriations limit, a legal requirement in California that dictates the maximum amount of tax revenue the district can collect. The board unanimously adopted the resolution related to the appropriations limit for the fiscal year 2024-2025.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to community safety and effective financial management, setting a positive tone for the upcoming year.