Rural Metro Fire Selects Steve Nelson as Fire Chief
3.27.2023
Assistant Chief Steve Nelson will be promoted to Fire Chief in Josephine County.
Rural Metro Fire has announced the promotion of Assistant Chief Steve Nelson to fire chief. Chief Nelson will assume command of Rural Metro Fire Josephine County on April 3, 2023.
Nelson is a longtime member of the Josephine County operation and is well-known in the Oregon fire service. He joined Rural Metro Fire in 1988 as a firefighter and has served in multiple roles, including engineer, lieutenant, captain, district chief, and assistant chief.
"It is an honor and a privilege to work alongside the men and women who are so dedicated to serving and protecting our community," said Nelson. "I am grateful and humbled to be able to follow the great tradition modeled by Chief Turnbull and hope to continue to grow on the foundation that he has built."
Nelson began his career in 1982 as a cadet and volunteer firefighter in Jacksonville before joining Rural Metro Fire. He holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Oregon State University, where he graduated cum laude. He is also actively involved in several fire service organizations. As a testament to his commitment to community service, Nelson also serves as the IT administrator for River Valley Church and has helped to keep the congregation connected since 2012.
"We are delighted to see Steve step into his next role at Rural Metro Fire," said Brian Davis, national fire chief for Community Fire Operations. "He was instrumental in helping to build this operation into the service it is today. Steve’s years of experience in Josephine County and with the Oregon fire service has given him a solid foundation to carry the operation into the future."
The Rural Metro Fire Josephine County Operation will celebrate the promotion of Chief Nelson at its annual banquet on April 8, 2023.
Nelson is a longtime member of the Josephine County operation and is well-known in the Oregon fire service. He joined Rural Metro Fire in 1988 as a firefighter and has served in multiple roles, including engineer, lieutenant, captain, district chief, and assistant chief.
"It is an honor and a privilege to work alongside the men and women who are so dedicated to serving and protecting our community," said Nelson. "I am grateful and humbled to be able to follow the great tradition modeled by Chief Turnbull and hope to continue to grow on the foundation that he has built."
Nelson began his career in 1982 as a cadet and volunteer firefighter in Jacksonville before joining Rural Metro Fire. He holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Oregon State University, where he graduated cum laude. He is also actively involved in several fire service organizations. As a testament to his commitment to community service, Nelson also serves as the IT administrator for River Valley Church and has helped to keep the congregation connected since 2012.
"We are delighted to see Steve step into his next role at Rural Metro Fire," said Brian Davis, national fire chief for Community Fire Operations. "He was instrumental in helping to build this operation into the service it is today. Steve’s years of experience in Josephine County and with the Oregon fire service has given him a solid foundation to carry the operation into the future."
The Rural Metro Fire Josephine County Operation will celebrate the promotion of Chief Nelson at its annual banquet on April 8, 2023.
