Crime & Safety
Meet Santa Cruz County's New Fire Chief
Nate Armstrong has decades of Cal Fire service under his belt. Here's what he'll do as chief.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Longtime Cal Fire employee Nate Armstrong was tapped to lead the San Mateo-Santa Cruz County Unit.
Armstrong took over Nov. 6 after Chief Ian Larken retired following 33 years of service, Cal Fire CZU announced Wednesday.
Armstrong has 22 years of Cal Fire experience, including work in paramedic, training and emergency command fields.
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As Cal Fire CZU chief, Armstrong will lead more than 280 workers in 16 fire stations from the unit's headquarters in Felton. He will also oversee 110 volunteers in eight additional fire stsations, a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation conservation camp and the Soquel Demonstration Forest.
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