Serving in the fire service since 1993, Nathan J. Trauernicht is the Fire Chief for University of California – Davis, providing overall leadership and direction to a department that serves a population of over 40,000.

Nathan earned his undergraduate degree in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering from Oklahoma State University and holds a master’s degree in public administration. Beyond completing the Executive Leadership and Management Institute (ELMI) at Stanford University, Nathan is a graduate of the UC Davis Executive Program, Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE), and is designated as a Chief Fire Officer® (CFO), Chief EMS Officer® (CEMSO), and as a Chief Training Officer® (CTO) by the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

Chief Trauernicht is active in a number of professional groups, boards and committees; he currently serves as President of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) United States of America Branch, President of the Oklahoma State University Alumni Assn. - Chief Fire Officers Chapter, Secretary on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Safety Health & Survival Section, appointed member of the IAFC Wildland Fire Policy and Communications Committees, appointed board member of the International Fire Service Research Center and Policy Institute, is a Past President of the California Fire Chiefs Association (CFCA), and two-time Past President of the CFCA - Operations Chiefs Section.