SANTA MONICA has named Matthew Hallock as the new chief of its Fire Department, bringing in a seasoned pro with over two decades in the trenches of public safety and emergency management.
Hitting the ground running, Hallock carries a hefty 24 years of experience, originating as a reserve firefighter back in '94 before climbing the ranks, in addition to his time as an emergency preparedness planner at Southern California Edison; in his most recent stint as the fire chief of Monterey Park since 2020, he has been the shepherding force for the city's fire department through the rough waters of a global pandemic and a heartbreaking shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio.
City Manager David White didn't mince words about his pick, citing Hallock's "outstanding leadership and compassion" and his knack for crisis management as beacons that lit the way to his appointment, Santa Monica's official announcement reports.
The incoming fire chief, who's stepping in after Interim Fire Chief Wolfgang Knabe held the fort since September 2023, is charged up to take the reins; Hallock himself expressed eagerness for the role, saying, "Santa Monica is known for its commitment to community safety, and I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the exceptional Fire Department team," he's already mapping out a strategy to build upon the department's strong foundation and to work hand in glove with the community ensuring a gold standard in emergency services.
An academic through and through, Hallock isn't just a man of action; he's got the papers to prove it, with a master's degree in public policy and administration from California State University, Long Beach, and an alma mater credit at the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer program. Santa Monica's finest will see Chief Hallock report for duty come February 12, with the city ledger marking a check of $303,588 for his annual due.
