Oxnard Fire Department Chief Alex Hamilton to retire; new chief named

After five years of serving as Oxnard's Fire Chief, Alexander Hamilton will retire from the position, making way for a new chief. The city of Oxnard announced in a Sept. 16 news release that Hamilton, who was appointed to the department's top position in 2021, would work his last day Nov. 19. Battal

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After five years of serving as Oxnard's Fire Chief, Alexander Hamilton will retire from the position, making way for a new chief.

The city of Oxnard announced in a Sept. 16 news release that Hamilton, who was appointed to the department's top position in 2021, would work his last day Nov. 19. Battalion Chief John Albin will take his place.

“Serving as Oxnard’s fire chief for the past six years has been an incredible experience," Hamilton said in the release. "It has been an honor to lead a department of such dedicated public servants, and I am very grateful to the city of Oxnard and this community for the opportunities it has given me.”

Alex Hamilton stands next to Oxnard Fire Station No. 4's fire truck. He is a 16-year veteran with Oxnard Fire Department and was sworn in as fire chief on Tuesday, March 2, 2021.

Hamilton has worked for Oxnard Fire for 21 years. During his tenure as chief, he is credited with helping the

department reduce emergency response times by 20% and securing FEMA funding to install more than 25,000 smoke alarms in Oxnard homes, officials said.

Albin is set to take over and lead a department with eight stations and 176 employees, city officials said.

He has worked at the Oxnard Fire for 28 years, starting as a firefighter in 1998. Albin was appointed to his latest position in 2025.

The new fire chief’s salary will be $260,000, said Katie Casey, Oxnard spokesperson.

Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at ecentenoaraujo@vcstar.com, 805-437-0224 or @ecentenoaraujo on Instagram and X.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Oxnard Fire Department Chief Alex Hamilton to retire; new chief named