Long Beach Launches Search for New Fire Chief
Business operators should monitor the selection process as the incoming chief inherits a $200 million budget and recent service cuts.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in People
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Long Beach Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan is set to retire on December 11, following a tenure marked by both facility expansion and recent budget-driven service reductions. The city is preparing a nationwide search to identify his successor by early next year.
Why it matters
The leadership change arrives as the department manages a $200 million operating budget recently tightened by $3.88 million in cuts. Local operators face uncertainty regarding future resource allocation following the recent closure of Engine 14 and related staffing reductions.
The department currently operates on a $200 million annual budget, which recently absorbed $3.88 million in cuts. Chief Dennis Buchanan concludes a career spanning over 33 years, including the final three years as fire chief.
The players
Dennis Buchanan
The retiring fire chief who served in the department for 33 years and acted as the first Black-and-Latino leader of the agency.
Long Beach Fire Department
The municipal agency responsible for fire suppression, emergency medical services, and public safety across the city.
The details
During his term, Buchanan oversaw the opening of stations at the Port of Long Beach and the Los Cerritos neighborhood, along with the deployment of a new ambulance unit. These expansions contrast with recent operational austerity, which eliminated dozens of full-time positions and shuttered Engine 14 near the Colorado Lagoon. The incoming chief will inherit these logistical constraints and the ongoing administrative task of balancing emergency response capacity against current fiscal limitations.
Timeline
1993: Dennis Buchanan joined the Long Beach Fire Department.
2002: Buchanan was promoted to fire captain.
2019: Buchanan was promoted to battalion chief and assistant chief.
February 2023: Buchanan took office as fire chief.
Dec. 11, 2026: Buchanan concludes his final day as fire chief.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition follows the department's recent contraction phase marked by the closure of Engine 14 and workforce reductions. The upcoming search will test the city's ability to maintain public safety service levels within the current constrained $200 million operating budget.
Business owners should monitor the search for a new chief, as the incoming leader will influence how the city balances future budget cuts against essential public safety response times. Track department budget adjustments in upcoming city filings to anticipate any further service changes.
The takeaway
The transition represents a pivotal moment for local emergency service staffing and fiscal planning. Operators should track the hiring timeline for the new chief to understand the future direction of departmental spending and service coverage.
What happens next
The city will conduct a nationwide search for a new fire chief, with the selection expected to be finalized by early next year.
Further reading
For more updates on leadership shifts in the city, visit the Long Beach People section.
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