Oceanside is handing the top helmet to one of its own. Deputy Fire Chief Jess Specht has been named the city’s next fire chief, officials announced Wednesday, with current Chief Dave Parsons set to retire next week. His official last day is listed as June 20.
Deputy Chief Jess Specht Steps Up
Specht currently runs the day-to-day show for the department as Deputy Fire Chief and Division Chief — Operations, overseeing the engine, truck and ambulance crews that answer 911 calls across the city, according to the Oceanside Fire Department.
He is already a familiar face to many residents. Specht was one of the leaders on scene during the city’s response to the 2024 pier fire and spoke publicly about the effort, as reported by the North Coast Current.
Chief Parsons' Tenure And Retirement
Parsons has guided the department through station expansions and high-profile incidents, bringing decades of regional experience to the job. Local coverage of his 2022 appointment noted his extensive record in incident command and wildfire deployments, according to KPBS.
The department’s materials list his retirement date as June 20, which aligns with the city’s announcement that he will step down next week.
Why The City Went With An Insider
City leaders signaled early on that they were leaning toward continuity at the top. The recruitment notice for the fire chief job specifically encouraged internal applicants, according to the posting on GovernmentJobs.com.
Promoting Specht keeps long-running institutional knowledge in-house as Oceanside tackles staffing needs, station openings and wildfire preparedness. City records list him as a signatory on recent department agreements and budget items, according to documents on file with the City of Oceanside.
Specht is expected to assume command as Parsons departs. The City of Oceanside announced the appointment publicly on X, though officials have not yet released a detailed transition timeline.
Oceanside's next Fire Chief was announced! Deputy Chief Jess Specht will take the helm of the @Oceanside_Fire Department following the retirement of Chief Dave Parsons next week. Details: https://t.co/TIXDw11x2n#OceansideCA #OceansideFire pic.twitter.com/QYGyjv1Z10
— City of Oceanside (@CityofOceanside) June 10, 2026
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