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Long Beach Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan to Retire in December
By Staff Writer
Published on Wed, Nov 4, 2026
After more than 30 years with the Long Beach Fire Department, Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan is getting ready to hang up his uniform.
Buchanan, who has led the department since February 2023, will retire Dec. 11. His final day will coincide with the graduation of the department's newest class of firefighters.
Buchanan has been with the department since 1993, working his way up from firefighter and paramedic to fire captain, battalion chief and deputy chief before making history as the City's first Black/Latinx chief.
During his time at the helm, Buchanan helped bring two new fire stations online, including Station 20 and the recently rebuilt Station 9, and oversaw major upgrades at six others. He also introduced a new ambulance program to help reduce response times during the busiest hours of the day.
He made recruitment and firefighter wellness priorities, too, helping expand the department's training programs and bringing in its largest-ever Fire Academy class, with 50 recruits in 2025.
The Long Beach Fire Department has about 800 sworn and civilian staff and an operating budget of about $200 million.
The City is conducting a nationwide search for his replacement, with an announcement expected in early 2027.
