Chief

Chief Owens began his career as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District in 1980. In 1981, Chief Owens joined the United States Air Force and worked as a Military Firefighter in Italy, Louisiana, and Nevada. After his discharge from the USAF in 1985, he worked as a Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Firefighter at Vandenberg AFB, then Federal Fire Department San Diego, achieving the rank of Fire Captain. Chief Owens also worked as an adjunct instructor for San Diego Miramar Community College.

Chief Owens joined CAL FIRE in 1998 in the Riverside Unit, In 2000 he was promoted to the San Luis Obispo Unit. In 2007, Chief Owens transferred to the San Benito – Monterey Unit to work as a Fire Captain in the Training Bureau. Chief Owens was promoted in 2008 to Battalion Chief in the San Benito – Monterey Unit. Initially assigned to the Hollister Battalion, Chief Owens later transferred back into the Training Bureau. In 2012, he was promoted to Division Chief of the South Division. He oversaw the City of Soledad’s transition into CAL FIRE that same year. In February 2019, he returned to the San Luis Obispo Unit to assume command of Division 3 (Coastal). In November 2020, Chief Owens was promoted to Deputy Chief in the San Luis Obispo Unit.

Chief Owens was previously assigned to Incident Command Team 9 as a Training Specialist (TNSP) and is currently assigned to Incident Management Team 2 as a Type 1 Liaison Officer (LOFR).