Department Says Goodbye to Chief Lowe
By Sarah Melton
Fire Chief Aaron Lowe will be leaving the Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District. As of Aug. 14, Don Jarvis will assume the role of interim fire Chief.
Interim Chief Donald Jarvis (left) with Aaron Lowe, who is departing as chief of Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District
Chief Lowe has given over two years of dedicated service to the district and the community of Aptos, La Selva Beach and the surrounding areas. He has been an integral part in several of the new changes, especially with the consolidated efforts with the Central Fire Protection District of Santa Cruz County, furthermore enhancing countywide training programs, leading a proactive Community Risk Reduction Division, and a supporter of community organizations like the Aptos Chamber of Commerce, CERT, local homeowners associations and the EMSIA.
Fire Chief Lowe believes that Interim Fire Chief Don Jarvis is the lifelong community member with the credibility and know-how to complete the consolidation efforts for both districts.
The consolidation of the two districts will improve the operational effectiveness to the community, provide for financial efficiencies, and the increased depth in staffing will provide a higher level of service to the communities from both Districts.
We wish him the best on his journey ahead, and in all future ventures.
The Board of Directors has selected Donald F. Jarvis as the interim chie until a permanent fire chief is selected.
Interim Chief Jarvis has 37 years of experience in the fire service, including serving as assistant chief for the Santa Clara County Fire Department. His experience and expertise ranges from operations, fire prevention, training and support services, to serving on a number of intergovernmental task forces. He also has a strong background in labor negotiations, including having led the re-negotiation of the Los Altos City and Los Altos Hills Fire District service contracts.
Chief Jarvis received his master’s of science degree in emergency services administration from California State University in Long Beach, as well as bachelor’s degrees in fire administration and fire prevention technology from Cogswell Polytechnical College in Sunnyvale. He also has local ties to the community, as he received his associate’s degree in fire science at Cabrillo College in Aptos, and currently resides in Santa Cruz County.