Vandenberg Fire Department

08/07/2025

Vandenberg’s Handcrew

08/07/2025

🚨 STAY INFORMED. STAY SAFE. 🚨
We’re excited to announce that Genasys Protect and Smart911 are now available in our community!

📲 Download Genasys Protect to:
✅ Receive real-time emergency alerts
✅ See evacuation zones, road closures & public safety info
✅ Customize notifications by location

🛡️ Set up Smart911 to:
✅ Create a safety profile with critical info (medical needs, home layout, pets, etc.)
✅ Give 9-1-1 dispatchers life-saving details instantly
✅ Help first responders assist you faster in an emergency

🆓 Both apps are FREE, easy to use, and designed to keep YOU and your loved ones safe.

🔗 Download Genasys Protect IOS and google play store.
🔗 Sign up for Smart911: https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=VandenbergSFB

📣 Spread the word—your safety starts with awareness. Make sure your family, neighbors, and friends are covered too.

06/24/2025

Vandenberg Fire Department will be conducting prescribed burns today through Friday (6/24-6/27). Prescribed burning is extremely important both as a training tool to help our firefighters prepare for wildland fire season as well as helping with fuels management. We will be closely monitoring the effects of the burns both in the Base Housing area as well as with our neighbors in Vandenberg Village and in the City of Lompoc.

04/17/2025

In celebration of National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week, we acknowledge the pivotal role of the 911 community in maintaining public safety and their relentless efforts to connect and safeguard us. We offer our sincere appreciation to the skilled and dedicated dispatch professionals who address complex calls with precision and care every day.

03/29/2025

Vandenberg Fire would like to congratulate our very own Jordan Pritchett on his promotion to CMSgt! Well done and congrats, Chief!!!

02/28/2025

Calling all communicators! Vandenberg Fire Department is hiring Public Safety Dispatchers to join our team. We have both Full-Time and Part-Time positions available. If you have the ability to stay calm under pressure while multitasking and a sincere desire to help people, we want you!

Don’t miss out on the chance to make a difference! Deadline is, March 5th at 11:59pm. If you have any questions, you may email our Communications Manager at [email protected] or message her here directly Carolina Ysabel Cockrell.

01/28/2025

Vandenberg fire was attached with Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties to form Urban Search and Rescue Regional Task Force 12 (RTF-12) They just returned from an 18 day deployment that started at the Eaton fire in Altadena and is ending at the Palisades fire in Malibu. RTF-12 thoroughly searched over 3,500 structures and vehicles that were destroyed by fire. They also supported the communities affected through the search for missing persons.

01/27/2025

🙏🙏

Urban Search and Rescue Regional Task Force 12 (RTF-12) comprised of 30 firefighters from fire departments in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, is wrapping up an 18 day deployment that started at the Eaton fire in Altadena and is ending at the Palisades fire in Malibu. RTF-12 thoroughly searched over 3,500 structures and vehicles that were destroyed by fire. Their mission to support the communities affected through the search for missing persons is complete, and your Lompoc Fire Department is proud to serve alongside our mutual aid partners on this important assignment.

01/12/2025

10/24/2024

Vandenberg Fire Department celebrated the retirement of MSgt Cole Connors after 20 years of dedicated service in the United States Air Force. The event was attended by family, friends, and colleagues, and was officiated by Colonel and Fire Chief Todd Canale, recognizing MSgt Connors for his commitment and contributions throughout his career. Thank you for your service and good luck in your future endeavors!

10/10/2024

We are supporting and mourning the loss of retired Santa Barbara Fire Captain Anthony "Tony" Pighetti, a pioneer in peer support and mental wellness for first responders 🙏

The first responder community is mourning the loss of retired Santa Barbara Fire Captain Anthony "Tony" Pighetti, a pioneer in peer support and mental wellness for first responders.

Tony was reported missing after he did not return from paddleboarding off Miramar Beach on October 8, 2024. Despite extensive search efforts, he was found early this morning and passed away at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

Tony spent nearly 30 years with the Santa Barbara Fire Department. In retirement, he spearheaded the development of Peer Support for firefighters in Santa Barbara County. During his long career of responding to tragic and often gruesome emergencies, he understood firsthand how difficult it could be to compartmentalize emotions and not process those feelings in a safe, healthy manner. He made it his mission to change the culture of the fire service and first responder community, one where being vulnerable and talking about those tough calls was no longer taboo but rather, embraced and supported. Tony’s impact on first responder mental health is felt locally, statewide and nationally.

Tony was rarely seen without his endearing golden retriever, Donuts, who served as a trained therapy dog for Santa Barbara County.

Tony is survived by his wife Andrea, son Josh and his wife Cammie and granddaughter Quincy; daughter Paige and her husband Dylan who are expecting a son this February; and son Jake and his fiancé Jenna; and of course, his loyal dog, Donuts.

Our first responder family and the City of Santa Barbara are grieving. We ask the community to respect the Pighetti family’s privacy. The Santa Barbara County Peer Support Team has been activated with support from regional partners to care for our members during this devastating moment.

Full press release: https://santabarbaraca.gov/press-releases/santa-barbara-first-responders-mourn-loss-retired-fire-captain-anthony-tony-pighetti