Santa Barbara County Fire increases staffing in Orcutt

ORCUTT, Calif. - The Santa Barbara County Fire Department announced that it is increasing staffing numbers at Fire Station 21 in Orcutt starting Monday.

This increase includes adding a fourth firefighter to the previous three-firefighter team. The department says the crew will now consist of a Captain, Engineer, Firefighter/Paramedic and a Firefighter/EMT.

Fire personnel say as the Santa Maria Valley grows in size and population, so has the call volume.

Increasing the Orcutt team from three to four firefighters allows the engine company to meet the “two-in/two-out” OSHA requirement for entry into areas that are immediately dangerous to life and health.

By meeting this requirement, Santa Barbara County Fire says the crew will have sufficient numbers to aggressively attack interior structure fires prior to the arrival of other engines.

The additional firefighter will also allow Station 21 to respond to more incidents in other districts. It will also allow Engine 21 to stay in service if a firefighter/paramedic accompanies a patient in an ambulance to the hospital.