Fire department spokesperson Joe Luna dies at age 60

Joe Luna, a firefighter and longtime spokesperson for the Ventura County Fire Department, died Mon., March 19 after a battle with cancer. He was 60 years old.

Luna's career with the Ventura County Fire Department spanned more than 32 years. He began his career at the department managing a hand crew. He later worked as a firefighter at Station 25 in Rincon, Station 23 in Oak View and Station 53 in Port Hueneme, and served in the public information office from 1995 until he retired in March 2006.

Luna was a public voice for the Ventura County Fire Department during many high-profile incidents, including the school fire of 2005, the La Conchita mudslide of 2005, the Simi fire of 2003 and the Alaska Air Flight 261 crash in 2000.

Luna, a lifelong Oxnard resident and U.S. Army veteran, leaves behind a wife and three grown children.

Funeral services were held Mon., March 26 at noon at Santa Clara Church in Oxnard.

Those wishing to make contributions to the Luna family can do so through the Ventura County Benefit Fund by writing 165 Durley Ave., Camarillo, CA 93010, or the Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association, PO Box 385, Camarillo, CA 93011.