Nathan La Russo

Before beginning his career with the Oxnard Fire Department in 2003, Battalion Chief Nathan La Russo was an Explorer for the Fullerton Fire Department, a Volunteer Firefighter at the La Habra Heights Fire Department; an Ambulance Operator for the Huntington Beach Fire Department, and worked as a member of ski patrol at two Southern California ski resorts. Chief La Russo has earned an Associate’s Degree in Fire Technologies from Mount San Antonio College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety Management from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and holds a Master’s Degree in Emergency Services Administration from Cal State University Long Beach.

Chief La Russo worked 3.5 years as a firefighter on Engines 62 and 64 before promoting to Engineer in 2006. He worked as an Engineer on Truck 61 for the better part of 6 years and then promoted to Captain. In addition to working on Engines 62 and 64, Chief La Russo served as our Training Captain before promoting to Battalion Chief in 2017. Chief La Russo has spent a significant amount of time preparing the next generations of firefighters; he taught at Mt. SAC Fire Academy for a total of 15 years, and has been a part of 3 Oxnard Fire Department Training Academies, functioning as Training Cadre Captain for 2 of those. Chief La Russo has been on our USAR, Ocean Rescue, Swiftwater, Haz-Mat, and Dive teams. Currently Chief La Russo serves as program manager for our Equipment, and Staffing committees.