Deputy Chief Jessamyn “Jess” Specht, with 23 years in the Oceanside Fire Department, has been selected as its next fire chief to succeed Chief Jim Parsons, who is retiring June 19, city officials said Wednesday.
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Parsons joined the Oceanside Fire Department in 2001 as a firefighter-paramedic and became a captain and then a division chief before serving as chief for the past four years. He oversaw the opening of two new fire stations, strengthened emergency preparedness programs, and launched the department’s hand crew, which was funded by revenue from the city’s voter-approved Measure X half-cent sales tax. His fire career spans 31 years.
“It is hard to overstate the positive impact that Chief Parsons has had on our community,” said City Manager Jonathan Borrego, in the city’s written announcement.
“He established a strong work culture centered on professionalism and service to our community,” Borrego said. “His focus on succession planning led us to the admirable position of being able to select the next chief from within the organization, ensuring leadership continuity as we face the future.”
The city conducted an internal recruitment with two rounds of interviews and three candidates before Specht was selected by the city manager. The City Council’s approval is not required. A formal swearing-in is planned for a date to be selected in early July.
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Specht joined the department in 2003 as a firefighter-paramedic and has been a captain, battalion chief, division chief and deputy chief. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a master’s in homeland security and public health preparedness from Penn State University.
He served as strike team leader during the 2017 Lilac fire and as operations section chief during the 2024 Oceanside Municipal Pier fire, according to the city’s announcement.
Specht’s priorities as fire chief will include training and mentoring a growing department, expanding the Lifeguard Division in response to rising beach visitor demand, and continuing efforts to support the physical and mental health of fire personnel, the announcement states.
“Chief Parsons is handing the baton to someone with deep experience in Oceanside and who has earned this moment,” Borrego said. “Jess Specht knows the Department and the Oceanside community inside and out, and I’m looking forward to his leadership. Oceanside Fire is in great hands.”
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