North Las Vegas Names New Fire Chief

Vendors and permit applicants working with the city's fire department should confirm their new point of contact.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration of an unmarked red fire engine parked before a pale stucco civic building under a bright desert sky, suggesting municipal fire leadership. — North Las Vegas named Chad Oliver its new fire chief, succeeding Joseph Calhoun, who was selected to become assistant city manager, at a City Hall ceremony Wednesday. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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North Las Vegas has named Chad Oliver its new fire chief, succeeding Joseph Calhoun, who was selected to become assistant city manager. Oliver was sworn in at a transfer of command ceremony held Wednesday at City Hall.

Why it matters

Leadership changes in a municipal fire department shape how the city's emergency response structure is managed and how public safety contracts and staffing decisions are handled. For businesses that work with the city, the turnover signals a new point of contact for fire-related permitting and coordination.

Oliver has served with the department since 2007, and Calhoun held the fire chief post for roughly nine years, from 2017 onward. The source does not report department size, budget, or call volume.

The players

North Las Vegas Fire Department

The municipal fire and emergency service serving the city of North Las Vegas, Nevada.

Chad Oliver

Veteran department officer who rose from captain to deputy chief over nearly two decades before becoming North Las Vegas fire chief.

Joseph Calhoun

Former North Las Vegas fire chief from 2017 who expanded the department's operational structure before being named assistant city manager.

The details

Oliver moved up through the ranks of the North Las Vegas Fire Department, advancing from captain to battalion chief, assistant fire chief, and deputy fire chief before taking the top role. Calhoun, who had led the department since 2017, helped expand its operational structure during his tenure. The command transfer was formalized at a ceremony at City Hall, where Oliver was sworn in as chief.

2007: Chad Oliver joins the North Las Vegas Fire Department.
2017: Joseph Calhoun becomes fire chief.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Oliver is sworn in as fire chief at City Hall.

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Market Landscape

Internal promotion to fire chief, with the prior chief moving into city administration, is a common path for municipal fire leaders. The extraction does not describe a broader regional trend or competing agency dynamics.

Businesses that contract with or permit through the North Las Vegas Fire Department should confirm their current department contact following the leadership change. Vendors serving municipal public safety should note that new command may revisit procurement priorities.

The takeaway

Operators with city fire-department dealings should update their contact records to reflect the new chief. Watching for the first budget or staffing announcements under Oliver will show whether procurement priorities shift.