Montecito Fire Department Promotions

On Monday, November 27, a Badge Pinning ceremony took place at the board of directors meeting of the Montecito Fire Protection District to honor three recently promoted fire personnel. 

Rod Walkup was promoted to engineer. He joined the organization in 1995 as a reserve firefighter and was hired full time August 1, 1999. He is married to Shannon; they have two sons, Hobie and Dexter. 

Ben Hauser was promoted to captain. He started his firefighting career with the U.S. Forest Service in 2003 on the Flight Crew, in 2005 became a member of the Hot Shot Crew, joined Ventura County Fire Department’s Hand Crew in 2007, and was hired by Montecito Fire on May 1, 2008. He and his his wife, Peri, have two children: son Mason and daughter Brooklyn. 

Scott Chapman was promoted to battalion chief. He started his career with American Medical Response in 2000, joined the U.S. Forest Service Hot Shot Crew in 2001 and was hired by Montecito Fire on May 16, 2006. He is married to Ashley; they have two children, daughter Emery and son Samuel.