MLS Meeting – 9AM – Santa Barbara County Fire Marshal – Fred Tan & Leonard Champion

Join us at 9AM 

Santa Barbara County Fire Marshal – Fred Tan

Chief Fred Tan was born in the Philippines and grew up in Culver City, CA. He started his fire service career with the Austin Fire Department in 1998. He returned to home to California after being hired by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department in 2005. Chief Tan promoted to Fire Engineer/Inspector in 2009, and Fire Captain in 2014, Battalion Chief in 2019; and, after serving as the Deputy Fire Marshal from 2021, promoted to Fire Marshal/Division Chief in 2024. He has served on several local, Fire Department and state committees, and is currently a Director on the Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council. Chief Tan currently resides in Los Angeles, CA with his wife and two children.

Retired SMFD Chief – Leonard Champion

Leonard was born and raised in Santa Maria, having graduated from Righetti High School, Allan Hancock College, and Long Beach State. He has a younger brother and sister who live out of the area and his parents live in Santa Maria.

Leonard graduated from the Allan Hancock College Fire Academy in 1990 and was hired by the Santa Maria Fire Department the same year. He retired in December of 2020 from the Santa Maria Fire Department holding all ranks including Fire Chief for four years. Leonard now is the Fire Academy Coordinator at Hancock and has been instructing there since 1996.

Leonard currently sits on the YMCA board of directors, the Boys and Girls Club Safety Committee, and is the 2024/25 President of Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary. Leonard is married to Melody Champion of 28 years, and they have two children, Mackenzie (24) and Brandon (23). Leonard loves to travel, fish, backpack, and serve with his church.

Caravan will frollow from 10:30AM – 12:30PM.