Fire Marshal Eric Binder Retires

January 6, 2022 7:15 AM

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Eric Binder came to the Santa Monica Fire Department in 2000, bringing in a wealth of knowledge from his previous positions with UCLA and the City of Long Beach. He was hired by the Fire Department as a Senior Fire Inspector where he oversaw Hazardous Material Inspections.


In 2009, Eric was promoted to Assistant Fire Marshal-Hazardous Materials overseeing the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) which combined various hazardous materials and regulatory programs into one agency for the City. The purpose of the CUPA program is to ensure businesses with hazardous materials are properly managed and accurately reported. The City has received exemplary state evaluations under his watch. In 2104, Eric was awarded “Outstanding Individual at the Certified Unified Program Agency” annual conference recognizing his commitment to the CUPA program and that his reputation for excellence went well beyond the City limits.

In addition to the responsibilities as Assistant Fire Marshal, Eric also conducted highly technical and complex fire inspections, large scale plan review, and fire investigations.

In 2013, Eric was promoted to Fire Marshal, where he assumed management of the Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Division, Fire Investigations, Public Education, and continued to oversee the CUPA program. His responsibilities also included review of major projects and developments for the City. Interim Fire Chief Knabe remarked, "There is not a Department or Division in the City that Eric has not helped and shared his expertise. Although Eric has officially left the building, his legacy will live on. We thank him for his service to the entire Fire Department and the City for all the years of dedication and commitment, always putting the safety of our people and community first. Eric’s impact over these 21 years has forever changed our Fire Department for the better."

The Department has chosen Assistant Fire Marshal, Joe Cavin as Fire Marshal to replace Eric Binder. Fire Marshal Cavin has been with the department for 12 years starting as a firefighter and working his way up to the Prevention Division as a Senior Fire Inspector before being promoted to Assistant Fire Marshal. Joe has held the position of Fire Investigator, responsible for High Rise inspections, New Construction Inspections, and Plan Review. In his past roles he has also supervised Fire Code Enforcement Officers and Fire Inspectors.

 

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