March 20, 2025  3:00 p.m.

MONTECITO, CA – The Montecito Fire Department recognized the recent promotions of four employees with a ceremony Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Fire Station 91. Family, friends, colleagues and community members were invited to attend to celebrate the employees’ professional accomplishments.

 Andy Rupp was promoted to Fire Engineer. Engineer Rupp has been a member of our Montecito Fire Department for 9 years. While in college at UC San Diego, he did a fire department ride-along and decided to pursue a career as a firefighter. He was hired by Oxnard Fire Department in 2012, serving the community where he grew up. He joined Montecito Fire in 2016 as a firefighter/paramedic and has been highly involved in the department as a member of our dispatch cadre, South Coast Hazmat Team, Urban Search & Rescue and our training committee. He also serves as our department’s Peer Support team lead.

David Johnson was promoted to Fire Captain. Captain Johnson joined the Montecito Fire Department in 2017 as a firefighter. He brought more than 12 years of experience to our organization from his time with Oxnard City Fire where he promoted through the ranks from firefighter to captain. Before that, his fire service career began in South Africa where he grew up and worked as volunteer firefighter during his high school years. In 2023, he was promoted to Engineer and we are pleased to now recognize his promotion to Captain.

Shaun Davis was promoted to Battalion Chief. Chief Shaun Davis has been with Montecito Fire Department for 15 years. Prior to joining us, he served in the United States Coast Guard where he gained his first experience in the fire service as a volunteer for the Ft. Bragg Fire Department. He became a paramedic while interning with San Rafael Fire Department and later worked for Ventura City Fire as a firefighter/paramedic. In 2010, he brought his talents to Montecito Fire. He promoted to Captain in 2016 and now serves as our C Shift Battalion Chief.

Anthony Hudley was promoted to Division Chief of Operations. Chief Hudley came to Montecito Fire Department five years ago, bringing over 20 years of experience to Montecito Fire. Anthony’s career began as an EMT on Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch where he worked for seven years. Simultaneously, he started his 20+ year career with Lompoc City Fire Department where he worked every rank from reserve firefighter to battalion chief. Over his career with Lompoc, he worked with Montecito Fire many times during major incidents and mutual aid responses. He joined us as a battalion chief in 2020 and we are proud to recognize his promotion to Division Chief of Operations.

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