Battalion Chief Robert Kovach

Battalion Chief Robert Kovach manages the Operations Division with over 43 years in the fire service with his entire career in this county serving the last 12 years proudly with the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District and 31 years with the Lompoc Fire Department. He has worked his way through the ranks and has been a Chief Officer for the last 23 years. He has an extensive background including: managing fire suppression forces, Emergency Services Coordinator & disaster planning, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Coordinator, Hazardous Materials Team Coordinator, Confined Space Rescue Coordinator, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Coordinator, Budget development and Management, Mutual Aid Contracts and Certifications, Labor Relations and Public Education Programs.

He is an experienced Operations Chief, Training Officer, Fire Marshal, Fire Investigator, Public Information Officer, Allan Hancock College Fire Academy Instructor and is an active member on a U.S. Forest Service Incident Management Team as a Planning Section Chief. He holds multiple certifications including: Chief Officer, Fire Officer, Fire Instructor, Fire Marshal (pending), Hazardous Materials Incident Commander, EMT, Safety Officer Type II, Planning Section Chief Type II and Division Group Supervisor.