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Unit Chief Robert Lewin

Robert Lewin was appointed as the Acting Chief of CAL FIRE / San Luis Obispo Unit on December 2, 2010 and the appointed Chief on May 2, 2011. With this appointment he also became the Chief for San Luis Obispo County, the City of Pismo Beach, Los Osos Community Services District, and the Avila Beach Community Services District. Chief Lewin oversees some 3,200 square miles in San Luis Obispo County. There are over 600 personnel, including full-time, seasonal, inmate, reserve, and volunteer firefighters. There are 21 fire stations, two conservation camps, an air attack base, and an emergency command center.

Chief Lewin has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Cal Poly State University, an Associate of Science Degree in Fire Science from Allan Hancock College and a two year Technical Certificate in Horticulture, also from Cal Poly State University.
Chief Lewin has over 32 years in the fire service. He began his career in San Luis Obispo County in 1978 as a student firefighter at Cal Poly before becoming a paid call firefighter (volunteer) and then a seasonal firefighter for CAL FIRE/San Luis Obispo County Fire. He then worked as a Fire Apparatus Engineer for CAL FIRE/Riverside County before being promoted to Fire Captain in San Luis Obispo County in 1988. He rose through the ranks to Deputy Chief serving in a variety of positions. He has taught on several state cadres for Incident Command System courses. Chief Lewin has served as a Type 1 Incident Commander on State Incident Command Teams. He has been on command teams since 1995. He has held command positions on complex incidents including fires, floods, earthquakes, human disease, animal disease, hazardous materials incidents, and on special assignments.

The priorities for Chief Lewin are to ensure that the firefighters are highly skilled, that all equipment is in top condition and ready for immediate emergency response, and that the Department is administered in a fiscally prudent way.

Chief Lewin is committed to continuing the success of the San Luis Obispo Unit by staying focused on the mission of protecting lives, property and the natural resources that the residents and guests of our County and State cherish. He is honored and humbled to lead the men and women who serve this Department with Integrity, Competence, Teamwork, Courage and Commitment.

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