One805 Advisory Board
Garrett Huff
Garrett Huff was appointed Fire Chief of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department on December 8, 2025, succeeding Fire Chief Mark A. Hartwig. Chief Huff brings more than twenty years of dedicated service to the department, having worked in nearly every rank and division, gaining broad operational, administrative, and leadership experience.
Throughout his career, Chief Huff has demonstrated a deep commitment to the people of the department and their families. He has served on the Santa Barbara County Firefighters Benevolent Foundation for nearly his entire tenure with the County, recognizing early on that the department’s strength lies in its close-knit, family-centered culture. He also served as an Honor Guard member before a formal program was established, ensuring the department was represented with dignity and that families were supported during times of loss.
Chief Huff played a key role in the development of the department’s Peer Support Program and was instrumental in expanding its vision beyond the County Fire Department to a countywide, collaborative model. He served as the founding Chair of the FIRESCOPE Behavioral Health Specialist Group, helping to reduce stigma, strengthen peer support, and provide critical behavioral health resources on the front lines of emergency services.
Chief Huff remains actively involved in the Santa Barbara County Firefighters Benevolent Foundation, serving as a Director, and continues to support regional peer support efforts by advising and assisting chief officers throughout the region. As Fire Chief, he remains committed to professional excellence, leadership development, and fostering a culture that prioritizes service, resilience, and the well-being of firefighters and their families.