New Fire Chief Named to Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit

A new chief has been appointed for the Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit, Cal Fire officials said Tuesday.

Chief Ian Larkin was appointed by Cal Fire Director Ken Pimlot to lead the unit, which serves both San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties. Larkin is replacing former Chief Scotty Jalbert who recently transferred to the Cal Fire San Luis Obispo Unit, according to Cal Fire officials.

Larkin has more than 28 years of fire service under his belt and recently served as the Unit's deputy chief of operations.

The Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit has 260 staff members across 17 fire stations and 110 volunteers across 8 additional fire stations across the two counties, Cal Fire officials said.

"Ian Larkin is a fifth generation Santa Cruz resident. We are lucky to have such a talented community-invested individual to lead our County Fire Department," Santa Cruz County Director of General Services Nancy Gordon said in a statement.

As the new unit chief, Larkin will also serve as fire chief for Cal Fire's cooperative system with San Mateo County, Santa Cruz County, Pajaro Dunes and the Fire Protection Districts of Pajaro Valley and Coastside, according to Cal Fire officials.

— By Bay City News Service