North Las Vegas swears in Chad Oliver, a 19-year department veteran, as the city's new fire chief

What happened

North Las Vegas has a new fire chief. Chad Oliver took the oath of office Wednesday at North Las Vegas City Hall, the Las Vegas Sun reported, citing a city news release. City Manager Micaela Moore appointed him to the position.

Oliver replaces Joseph Calhoun, who became assistant city manager effective Nov. 2, according to the city. The Sun described Oliver as a 19-year veteran of the department.

Who the new chief is

A career inside the department

Oliver is a Las Vegas Valley native who joined the North Las Vegas Fire Department in 2007, the city said. He started as a firefighter/paramedic and later moved up to captain, battalion chief and assistant fire chief. His most recent role before the appointment was deputy fire chief.

What the city and Oliver said

In the release, Moore said Oliver is gaining "a reputation as a value-driven leader who embraces challenges as opportunities for growth." She also said he remains committed to the department's mission and to providing service and protection for the city's residents and visitors.

Oliver said he was "honored to begin a new chapter leading the North Las Vegas Fire Department." He credited city leaders' investment in public safety and said it gives the department opportunities to improve emergency response, community safety and workforce development.

The outgoing chief's new role

Calhoun came to North Las Vegas as fire chief in 2017 and became the longest-serving chief in the department's history, according to the city. The release credited him with guiding the department through "remarkable growth and modernization."

The city's announcement left some questions open. According to the Sun, the release did not say who selected Calhoun for the assistant city manager job or what his duties will be.

Recent investments in the fire department

A first dedicated training center

The leadership change follows two facility projects this fall. The department opened its first dedicated training center Oct. 13, about three weeks before Calhoun moved into his new role, the Sun reported. The site includes 5,200 square feet of indoor classroom space and six acres of training grounds.

More is planned at the site. A four-story burn tower is expected to be added to the center in early 2027, according to the city.

Fire Station 51 rebuilt

On Sept. 30, the city reopened Fire Station 51 following a $15 million rebuild. The building it replaced had been in use since 1974. Station 51 is one of nine fire stations in North Las Vegas, the Sun reported.

Residents can follow more emergency services coverage in our public safety section. Other city news is collected on our neighborhoods page.

What to watch next

• The four-story burn tower the city plans to add to the new training center in early 2027.
• Details on Calhoun's duties as assistant city manager, which the city's release did not specify.
• Who selected Calhoun for the assistant city manager post, which the release also did not say.