Santa Monica Fire Chief Announces Move To Murrieta

Fire Chief Scott Ferguson announced that on May 10th, he leaves Santa Monica to lead the Murrieta Fire Department. Ferguson has been at the helm of the Santa Monica Fire Department since March of 2010.

"For the past four years, our City has benefitted from Chief Ferguson's leadership, fire expertise and the integrity that is ingrained in his work. He committed himself to his department, his colleagues and our community. Scott will be missed and Murrieta is lucky to have him as their Fire Chief," shared Interim Santa Monica City Manager, Elaine Polachek.

During his tenure as Fire Chief, Santa Monica Fire Department was awarded an Insurance Service Office (ISO) Class 1 rating, a distinction reserved for only 12 fire departments in the State of California, and less than 1% of all organizations nationwide. Ferguson worked collaboratively with his department to oversee the Fire Department's transition to a joint dispatch program with the Police Department, the planning for the Fire Station 1, and preparation for Expo light rail. He and his Chief Officers managed over 108 responders and 15 civilian staff operating in areas of medical emergencies, Hazmat, urban search and rescue, fire prevention and emergency preparedness. Council also recently approved the addition of six firefighters and one civilian to the Fire Department.

Chief Ferguson served as the Los Angeles Area Fire Chiefs Association (LAAFCA) President, represented the Association's Federal Homeland Security Grant interests, and acted as liaison to the Regional Training Group. During this time, he supported area special operation teams and created a virtual network of SMART classrooms, thereby enhancing regional partnerships through training and safety programs.

The Chief was dedicated to community involvement and was active with the Santa Monica Rotary, Human Relations Council, YMCA and the Santa Monica College Advisory Board.

"The experience in Santa Monica has clearly exceeded my expectations," said Chief Ferguson. "It has been an honor to be associated with this community, City, and most of all, the Fire Department. Murrieta offers a different lifestyle that will allow a little more family time, while still offering the challenges of a growing community."