Deputy Fire Chief Eric Ulwelling was born in Santa Clara, CA and raised in the coastal town of Santa Cruz with his parents and brother. Growing up near Monterey Bay and close to the Santa Cruz Mountains, Eric developed a lifelong interest in exploring the coastline and wilderness of California's central coast.

Deputy Fire Chief Ulwelling entered the fire service in 1999, when he became the first Firefighter-Paramedic hired by the Carmel Valley Fire District. He promoted to the rank of Captain in 2006 and, following the consolidation of Carmel Valley Fire District and Monterey County Regional Fire District, to Division Chief in 2016 and Deputy Chief in 2022.

Deputy Fire Chief Ulwelling completed an A.S. in Fire Science from Monterey Peninsula College, a Bachelors in Humanities from the University of California, Irvine, and is a graduate of the Foothill College paramedic program. Division Chief Ulwelling has also studied at the University of Madrid and the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. His certifications in California include Fire Officer, Chief Officer, Fire Investigator, Public Education Officer and Fire Instructor.