As part of Noozhawk’s Nov. 3 election coverage, we are publishing Q&As with board candidates for some special districts and education districts, including the Montecito Fire Protection District.
Candidate answers may have been lightly edited for spelling and formatting, but are otherwise presented as they were submitted.
The Montecito Fire Protection District is an independent fire department for the Montecito area, with two stations crewed by firefighting and paramedic personnel at all times.
The department also has its own dispatch center, fire marshal, and administrative staff.
Four candidates are running for three seats on the Board of Directors, which has five members.
Candidate Robert Kemp
Noozhawk: Why are you running for the Montecito Fire Protection District Board of Directors?
Robert Kemp: I am running for a position on the board of Montecito Fire Protection District because Montecito is the home where I raised my family each and every day Montecito Fire watches over us. I have a true reverence for firefighters everywhere and have a keen desire to serve my community at the deepest level.
Noozhawk: What personal and/or work experience would you bring to the organization?
Kemp: For the past 23 years I have helped people buy and sell real estate in Montecito and Santa Barbara. The most critical thing I have found to help me serve my clients is attentively listening to their needs. Every day I thrive on asking questions of those I work for in order to facilitate transactions that feel like win-win for all.
At Montecito Fire, the board has a responsibility to the community it represents to ensure all residents are heard, and that the fire district we oversee is in solid shape financially and strategically prepared for the future needs of our community.
Noozhawk: What do you see as the top issue facing the district right now, and how would you address it?
Kemp: The top issue facing our community is the need for a third fire station to serve the eastern portion of Montecito. Currently a fire station location study is near completion by AP Triton, a company that specializes in these types of studies and analysis of communities and their future needs for greater public safety. I am eager to see the report, attend the community meeting on Nov. 10, and listen to what the community input is. I am in support of more resources to protect the well-being of our residents.
Noozhawk has published election Q&As with other Montecito Fire Protection District board candidates including:
Click here to read Noozhawk’s coverage in the Election 2020 section.
