Long Beach Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan Announces Retirement

The veteran leader will step down in December after a career spanning more than three decades in the department.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration of fire station architecture and a hose reel, representing a municipal fire department leadership transition. — Long Beach Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan will retire in December, ending a three-decade career overseeing significant department restructuring and service updates. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Long Beach Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan has announced his retirement from the Long Beach Fire Department. Buchanan will serve his final day on Dec. 11 after a tenure that included serving as the department's first Black-and-Latino fire chief.

Why it matters

Buchanan's departure marks a transition for the city's emergency services leadership following a period of recent budget adjustments. The city manager is now tasked with overseeing a nationwide search to identify his successor by early next year.

The department budget cuts trimmed $3.88 million from the $200 million operating budget. Dennis Buchanan served in the fire department for more than 33 years, including over three years as chief.

The players

Dennis Buchanan

He is the outgoing fire chief who served in the Long Beach Fire Department for over 33 years and acted as the first Black-and-Latino leader of the agency.

The details

During his time as chief, Buchanan oversaw the opening of Station 20 and Station 9, as well as the addition of an around-the-clock ambulance unit. However, his tenure also involved the recent elimination of dozens of full-time positions and the closure of Engine 14 near Colorado Lagoon.

Dennis Buchanan joined the fire department in 1993.
Buchanan was promoted to fire captain in 2002.
Buchanan became battalion chief and assistant chief in 2019.
Buchanan took office as fire chief in February 2023.
Buchanan will serve his final day as fire chief on Dec. 11.

Market Landscape

The search for a new fire chief follows the established protocols for municipal department head recruitment. This leadership transition occurs as the department navigates internal structural changes and resource allocation shifts.

The transition to a new fire chief will determine the future direction of department staffing and emergency resource deployment. Residents can expect the city to prioritize internal and external candidates during the upcoming national search for new leadership.

The takeaway

The upcoming leadership change highlights the evolving operational priorities of the city's emergency response services. Residents should stay informed about the search process as it impacts local station capacity and emergency coverage levels.