On October 27, 2023, Mayor Sheng Thao and Oakland City Administrator Jestin Johnson announced the selection of Damon Covington to serve as Fire Chief for the City of Oakland.

Chief Covington has been the Interim Fire Chief since June 2023.

“I am thrilled that Chief Covington has accepted this important appointment to become the next Chief of our proud Oakland Fire Department,” said Mayor Sheng Thao. “Damon Covington has a distinguished professional resume from his 24 years of experience in the fire service, and his personal commitment to the safety of Oaklanders is unparalleled.”

Prior to this appointment, Chief Covington served in an array of capacities over his 24 year career with Oakland Fire, including, Firefighter-Paramedic, Fire Engineer, Lieutenant of Fire, Captain of Fire, Captain of Training, Battalion Chief, Special Operations Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, and most recently Interim Fire Chief.

Chief Covington’s educational accomplishments include a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Sonoma State University and a Master’s degree in Executive Public Administration from Golden Gate University.

Chief Covington was the President of the Oakland Black Firefighters Association from 2016-2022, and previously served as the Chair of the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District, respectively. Additionally, he currently serves as an Adjunct Professor for Merritt College where he lectures in the undergraduate Fire Science program.

Chief Covington moved to the East Bay during his early childhood, graduated from Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, and is the proud father of one son.