Cristal's Blog

SANTA BARBARA FIREFIGHTERS ALLIANCE

May 1, 2023

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The Santa Barbara Firefighters Alliance nonprofit organization was formed in 2004 in an effort to ensure our community's safety as well as the safety of our local heroes. The organization raises funds to purchase state-of-the-art equipment to protect us all, enabling firefighters to provide a higher level of service to our community.

Firefighters fighting a wildfire in Santa Barbara with flames and tree branches
Photo Credit, Mike Eliason

What Does the Santa Barbara Firefighters Alliance Do?

Members of the Santa Barbara City and County Fire Departments pride themselves on providing the highest level of protection for residents and their property through planning, preparation, and responding to fires and other emergencies in our community. Every year, our city and county firefighters respond to more than 21,000 calls. The Santa Barbara Firefighters Alliance raises funds to purchase unbudgeted safety and firefighting equipment for City and County firefighters in order to respond to the high volume of service calls.

Santa Barbara Firefighters mobile command center with firefighters and the public surrounding vehicles
Photo Credit, Mike Eliason

Equipping our Firefighters

The Santa Barbara Firefighters Alliance provides the necessary funds to purchase the most advanced equipment and technology that would otherwise not be funded through regular departmental budgets. To date, the Santa Barbara Firefighters Alliance has acquired the following (and much more):

  • The Mobile Command Center pictured above.
  • Canine support dog vehicle and services for Rhonda, Santa Barbara, Firefighters' official emotional support dog on call 24/7.
  • Fire curtains to provide refuge when firefighters are trapped and engulfed in flames.
  • Night vision goggles which enable helicopter crews to continue firefighting efforts at night.
  • Hand-held global positioning system (GPS) units so crews fighting back-country wildfires can determine and report their exact location and track containment.
  • Weather monitors that track sudden changes in wind, humidity, and temperature that occur during severe fire conditions.
  • Specialized victim location equipment for use in dark and smoky conditions.

    A firefighter vehicle towing two jet skies
    Photo Credit, Mike Eliason
  • Jet skis to expedite water rescues.
  • Drones to locate potential fire risks in homes and businesses, and keeping crews at a safe distance.
  • A Utility Terrain Vehicle, or UTV, for off-road emergencies.

How Santa Barbara Homeowners Can Support Our Local Heroes

Besides donating to the Santa Barbara Firefighters Alliance, The City of Santa Barbara offers a free personal wildfire action plan called READY, SET, GO!!! with the tools and tips homeowners need to prepare for a fire disaster.


Now you know how you can support our local firefighter heroes through the Santa Barbara Firefighters Alliance. Is there a local charity you'd like us to cover in my blog? If so, let us know! Meanwhile, if you're considering moving within or to Santa Barbara, I invite you to call me at (805) 886-9378 or email me at Cristal@montecito-estate.com for a free consultation regarding selling and buying.



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Client Reviews

“Cristal Clarke has conducted numerous real estate transactions for me beginning 13 years ago with the purchase of a Lemon Ranch. She has handled both large and small purchases and sales with equal dedication. As a negotiator, you can’t find anyone better. Her transactions are always conducted in the most appropriate and professional manner. Cristal has considerable knowledge of the Santa Barbara market.”

- S.N. Decker Ph.D.

“Living in Europe, we were to say the least, unaccustomed to the nuances of Real Estate acquisition in California and Cristal steered us through the process with absolute professionalism and personal attention to detail at every turn. Her in-depth knowledge of the market place combined with enthusiasm and drive was the only reason we secured the property of our dreams and will be forever grateful. If you are looking for personal discrete and private representation of the highest quality we suggest you look no further than Cristal Clarke.”

- Johan and Paula van den Berg

“Cristal is very straightforward, cheerful, helpful, professional and trustworthy….we felt very lucky to work with her.”

- John and Lacey Williams

“After considering our many choices, we are grateful it was Cristal Clarke of Sotheby’s International who represented the sale of our Montecito cottage. We are familiar with Cristal’s reputation of hard work and dedication to clients, but it was her attention to detail that made our experience so positive. She offered suggestions for staging the property, worked in harmony with potential buyers and was even able to secure back up offers. The sale of our cottage was completed much sooner than we expected, due in great part to Cristal’s professional skills and support. We highly recommend Cristal as a first choice for anyone needing representation with real estate.”

- Michael & Nancy Lee

“Our experience in working with Cristal Clarke resulted in the successful and discrete acquisition of a property which was not yet on the open market. Her knowledge of the Montecito/Santa Barbara area and vast expertise blended with her passion for real estate and architecture, provided us with the very highest level of professionalism and personalized services. Cristal exhibited a rare combination of excellent communications, attention to detail, creativity and patience.”

- Richard and Catherine Frinier

“Cristal really breaks the mold. She knows every nook and cranny of this real estate market, understands value, and follows up on everything, all the time. She was incredibly patient with our two year quest to find the perfect house. Every house hunting trip from across the country was well planned, and our time was never wasted. On top of her professionalism and expertise, she is delightful to spend time with. We are thrilled with the home we purchased, and grateful to Cristal for so wisely advising us through this process, right through to the close and beyond.”

- Laurie Siegel

“We met Cristal first in the course of renting a winter home (for three years), then buying a house using her as our agent. She was amazingly good at listening to our wants and showing us homes that fit our needs. Her mastery of the paperwork was perfect. Most importantly, there was never a situation where we doubted her straightforwardness or integrity. If we do another real estate transaction in Montecito (which I doubt, we’re happy with what we purchased), without question we’d use Cristal again.”

- Ken Saffir

“Susan and I just want to thank you for your efforts in the sale of our home. You are really quite amazing. Your competence, persistence, optimism and humor made the entire process effortless. Every problem that arose, you somehow fixed; any obstacle, you overcame. We have bought and sold many homes. It has never been such a painless and enjoyable process!”

- Michael & Susan Marquart

“A little something about “our” realtor, Cristal Clarke. My wife and I came to Santa Barbara about fifteen years ago looking for a seasonal home from which to enjoy the weather and amenities of the central coast. Being in the real estate business myself I was familiar with agents and brokers so entered the market with open eyes. We “flipped” a few houses in the early years, dealing with various agents and finally ended up in Montecito. That’s when good fortune put us together with Cristal. To say we were impressed is to put it mildly. Cristal really knows the market. She is familiar with the area, its history and trends. When we have questions about a particular property she either has the answers immediately or gets back to us by phone or email. There is no waiting or wondering with Cristal. She is an agent who is “on top of it.” Her recommendations as to price points, contractors, inspectors and title agents have proven to be exceptional, showing great insight and the highest professional standards. We consider ourselves exceedingly fortunate to say that Cristal Clarke is our realtor and would recommend her services to any serious buyer or seller.”

- Rob & Judi Kelch