By County News Center, County of San Diego Communications Office
Feb. 18, 2026 | 1:00 PM
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The County announced a new director of Emergency Services, who brings decades of fire protection and emergency management leadership experience.
Daryl Arbuthnott served the Los Angeles Fire Department for 36 years, rising to the rank of Fire Deputy Chief. He commanded several significant incidents including large-scale brush fires, high-rise, commercial buildings, swift water rescue emergencies, and special planned events. Arbuthnott then served the cities of Davis and Vallejo in Northern California as their Fire Chief. Most recently, he led the Emergency Management department at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Arbuthnott has a graduate degree in Risk Management, Business Continuity and Security from Boston University.
He begins his new role with the Office of Emergency Services Feb. 20.
The Office of Emergency Services coordinates regional emergency preparedness and response and supports recovery after a disaster, working with local, state, federal, nonprofit, and private sector partners to protect public health and safety.
