By El Latino Newsroom
redaccion@latinocc.com
The Santa Barbara Fire Department has bolstered its emergency response capabilities with the arrival of a state-of-the-art Pierce Arrow XT Aerial Ladder Truck, a $1.6 million investment that city officials say will improve public safety for decades to come.
The new apparatus features a 107-foot aerial ladder, enabling firefighters to access the upper floors of multi-story buildings during rescues and fire suppression operations.
Designed with enhanced lighting, modern safety features, and increased storage for tools and equipment, the truck is expected to serve the community for at least the next 25 years.
“This ladder truck is a critical addition to our fleet. It enhances our ability to respond to emergencies quickly and safely. This investment reflects our commitment to protect Santa Barbara residents and visitors with the best tools and technology available,” said Fire Chief Chris Mailes.
The ladder truck, which will be housed at Fire Station 1 on West Carrillo Street, is the first of four fire apparatus purchased under a fiscally prudent lease-to-own program approved in 2022. The total cost of the truck is $1,620,796, to be paid over seven years.
City officials and firefighters will unveil the vehicle during a public ceremony on Friday, July 25, at Fire Station 1.
The event, scheduled from 10 to 11 a.m., will include a traditional “roll-in” ritual in which the new truck is ceremoniously pushed into the station by hand, a practice that dates back to the horse-drawn engines of the 19th century. Residents are invited to attend, to meet the firefighters who will operate it.
“This new ladder truck represents not just an upgrade in equipment, but a continued promise to safeguard our community,” Mailes added.
Founded in 1881, the Santa Barbara Fire Department responds to more than 12,000 calls annually and operates eight stations across the city, staffed by a team of highly trained personnel. In addition to firefighting, the department provides emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, technical rescue, and disaster preparedness.
Diapers for Kids in Need
For parents of critically ill children, the emotional and financial strain can feel overwhelming.
Thanks to an expanded partnership between two local nonprofits, some of that burden is being lifted, one diaper at a time.
Hearts Aligned, a Santa Barbara County–based organization that supports families with critically ill children, has joined forces with LEAP: Learn • Engage • Advocate • Partner, which operates the county’s only registered diaper bank, to provide free diapers and wipes to families in crisis in the Santa Maria area.
The initiative is designed to help families already facing the unimaginable stress of serious childhood illness, offering both practical supplies and the reassurance that their community stands with them.
“Something as small as a pack of diapers can lift a burden and remind families that they’re not alone,” said Vivian Solodkin, executive director of Hearts Aligned.
“We are honored to deepen our partnership with LEAP and reach more families who are navigating these challenges every day. We’re especially grateful to Dignity Health for providing a grant that makes this possible.”
Since launching its diaper bank in 2021, LEAP has distributed more than 200,000 diapers to families in need, powered by a network of community partners, volunteers, and donors.
The expanded collaboration with Hearts Aligned helps extend that reach further into Santa Barbara County’s North County communities, ensuring families — regardless of their zip code — have access to the essentials their children need.
“This isn’t just about diapers. It’s about dignity, health, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you can meet your child’s most basic needs. We’re grateful to have Hearts Aligned as a trusted partner who deeply understands the families they serve,” said LEAP CEO Lori Goodman.
Hearts Aligned, which operates out of Santa Maria and can deliver directly to families, is uniquely positioned to connect with families who might otherwise miss out on this kind of support.
Residents who want to help local babies and families in need can host a diaper drive or volunteer to pack diapers through LEAP’s diaper bank.
For more information on LEAP and its programs, visit www.leapcentralcoast.org.
Oxnard Man Sentenced to 25 Years
A 44-year-old Oxnard man has been sentenced to more than 25 years in state prison for a violent series of crimes against his girlfriend in 2020 that left her hospitalized and fearing for her life, authorities announced.
Salvador Pena Martinez was sentenced July 21 to 25 years and four months after pleading guilty earlier this year to multiple felony charges, including inflicting corporal injury, kidnapping, criminal threats, arson of an inhabited structure, evading police, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Martinez also admitted to several aggravating factors, including inflicting great bodily injury, exploiting the victim’s vulnerability, and having prior strike convictions.
According to Deputy District Attorney Rikole Kelly, of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit, and who prosecuted the case, the assault began on May 17, 2020, during an argument about the victim’s cell phone.
Martinez tore her clothing, punched her repeatedly, dragged her by the hair, hit her with the phone, choked her until she passed out, and pinned her down with his knees.
He then forced her into his truck, threatened to retrieve a gun, and continued hitting her while driving to a relative’s house in Port Hueneme.
The victim managed to escape there, screaming that Martinez was going to kill her. His family called police as Martinez fled the scene.
The victim suffered a concussion, facial bruising, and head wounds requiring staples, prosecutors said.
Three days later, on May 20, a fire broke out at the victim’s Oxnard home.
Investigators found a gas can near the source of the blaze and video footage of a white pickup truck, resembling Martinez’s, in the area at the time.
Martinez was arrested May 23 for the domestic violence assault and released on bail five days later.
On June 4, police spotted him and tried to stop him in connection with the arson.
Martinez led officers on a dangerous chase through Oxnard, nearly hitting pedestrians and vehicles before abandoning his moving truck and running.
After briefly pinning an officer’s arm, he was taken into custody. A loaded semi-automatic handgun was later recovered from his truck.
Martinez will serve his sentence in a California state prison.
