Oxnard Fire Chief Alexander Hamilton Announces Retirement; Battalion Chief John Albin Appointed Next Fire Chief
Oxnard Fire Chief Alexander Hamilton Announces Retirement; Battalion Chief John Albin Appointed Next Fire Chief
Vida Newspaper
September 27, 2026
Big news out of the Oxnard Fire Department this week — Chief Alexander Hamilton has announced he'll retire on November 19, 2026, wrapping up 21 years of service to our city. That's more than two decades of showing up for Oxnard on its hardest days, and it's worth pausing to appreciate. As Vida Newspaper reports, City Manager Alexander Nguyen has tapped Battalion Chief John Albin to take the helm, keeping the transition in-house with someone who already knows the department and this community from the inside.
Leadership changes at the fire department aren't just internal housekeeping — they shape how quickly crews respond, how the department grows with our neighborhoods, and how safe Oxnard feels day to day. Handing the badge to a homegrown chief means continuity, and that matters here.
Thank you, Chief Hamilton, for 21 years. And welcome to the top job, Chief Albin — Oxnard will be watching, and rooting for you.
This summary was written by AI based on the original article from Vida Newspaper.
City
OxnardSource
Vida NewspaperPublished
September 27, 2026
AI-curated summary from local news sources
Explore OxnardAll Oxnard NewsMore News from Oxnard
OxnardOxnard to change the name of Cesar Chavez Street
Big change for folks who've been calling that stretch of road Cesar Chavez Drive for years — Oxnard's city council voted unanimously on Sept. 15 to rename it Campesina Place. Mayor Luis A. McArthur was absent for the vote, and the resolution sets aside up to $250 to reimburse residents and businesses affected by the switch. The name Campesina — roughly 'farmworker woman' — feels like a nod to the same agricultural roots the old name honored, just from a different angle. For longtime Oxnard families, street names aren't just addresses; they're part of how we give directions, tell stories, and remember who we are. Worth noting: Vida Newspaper reported this, and the details are still developing. If your mail, signage, or business is on that street, keep an eye out for city guidance on the reimbursement process. What do you think of the new name? Let us know.
OxnardVCTC receives 2026 SDRMA Excellence in Safety Award
Some good news worth celebrating from our neighbors at the Ventura County Transportation Commission — they just picked up the 2026 Excellence in Safety Award from SDRMA, the agency that handles risk management for special districts across California. Why should Oxnard care? VCTC keeps our buses rolling and our transportation projects moving, and this award reflects five straight years with zero paid claims. That's not just a plaque for a shelf — it means taxpayer dollars are staying in service, not going toward lawsuits and losses. With so many of us relying on VCTC routes to get to work, school, and around the 805, a strong safety record is a quiet win for every rider and driver on our roads. The recognition was reported by Vida Newspaper, and it's a nice reminder that steady, unglamorous work behind the scenes keeps our corner of the Central Coast moving. Congrats to the VCTC team.
OxnardCity of Oxnard to Host “Prep in the Park” Event to Help Families with Disaster and El Niño Storm Preparedness Efforts
Oxnard neighbors, mark your calendars — the city is bringing emergency prep straight to College Park on Saturday, September 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with "Prep in the Park." It's free, it's family-friendly, and it's hands-on, which matters more than ever as forecasters keep talking about El Niño conditions and the kind of winter storms that can flood streets and knock out power here on the coast. Instead of a dry lecture, you'll get demonstrations and giveaways that make getting ready feel doable — the little things like go-bags, water storage, and a family plan that actually get used when the wind and rain hit. Vida Newspaper flagged this one, and we're glad they did: in a city as spread out as Oxnard, knowing your neighbors and your resources is half the battle. So pack the kids, swing by 3250 S. Rose Ave., and leave a little more prepared than you came. It's the kind of low-key Saturday that could pay off big when the next storm rolls in.