Long Beach City Manager Tom Modica announced that sworn members of the Long Beach Fire Department Command Staff will serve as Acting Fire Chief in rotation, effective Dec. 31, 2022, as recruitment for the permanent position continues.
“The Deputy and Assistant Chiefs of the Long Beach Fire Department Command Staff understand the daily and big picture needs of the department and our community,” said City Manager Tom Modica. “I have the utmost confidence in their abilities to lead our amazing Fire Department sworn and civilian staff, as they already do, to keep our community safe as we look for the next permanent Chief.”
Rotating members of the Fire Department Command Staff is common practice when the Fire Chief is unavailable. As Acting Fire Chief, the members of the Fire Department Command Staff will be accountable for the administration, management and efficient operations of all Fire Department resources. They will be responsible for the command and control of all personnel and activities of the Fire Department incidental to the protection of life and property within the City of Long Beach, including the Long Beach Airport and the Port of Long Beach. They will have the responsibility and authority to plan, direct and implement policy and procedures within the department and respond to the needs of the community. The Acting Fire Chief is also required to respond to emergencies as necessary and assume incident command of emergency operations.
Rotation as Acting Fire Chief will be as follows:
Deputy Chief Robbie Grego
Deputy Chief Grego is currently assigned to Fire Prevention and he is the City Fire Marshal. He has been with the Long Beach Fire Department for over 28 years, serving on the Command Staff the last four years. Prior to becoming the City Fire Marshal, he was assigned as the Deputy Fire Chief of Support Services, Assistant Fire Chief of Support Services and Battalion Chief/Director of Training. Deputy Chief Grego also held the rank of Battalion Chief and Fire Captain for over 16 years.
Deputy Chief Jeff Hardin
Deputy Chief Hardin is currently assigned to Operations. He has been with the Long Beach Fire Department for over 25 years and has served on the Command Staff the past three years. Prior to his current position, he was assigned as the Assistant Chief of Operations and Director of Training. Deputy Chief Hardin also held the rank of Battalion Chief and Fire Captain for over 15 years.
Deputy Chief Dennis Buchannan
Deputy Chief Buchannan is currently assigned to Support Services. He has been with the Long Beach Fire Department for over 29 years, serving on the Command Staff the last three years. Prior to becoming the Deputy Chief of Support Services, he was the Assistant Chief of Support Services for two years. Deputy Chief Buchannan also held the rank of Battalion Chief and Fire Captain for over 17 years.
Assistant Chief Paul Alvarado
Assistant Chief Alvarado is currently assigned to Fire Prevention. He has been with the Long Beach Fire Department for nearly 27 years, serving on the Command Staff the last four years. Prior to his current position, Assistant Chief Alvarado was a Battalion Chief and Fire Captain for over 13 years.
Assistant Chief Jim Arvizu
Assistant Chief Arvizu is currently assigned to Support Services. He has been with the Long Beach Fire Department for over 29 years, serving on the Command Staff the last two years. Prior to his current position, Assistant Chief Arvizu held the position of Battalion Chief and Fire Captain for over 16 years.
Assistant Chief Don Anderson
Assistant Chief Anderson is currently Assigned to Operations. He has been with the Long Beach Fire Department for over 25 years, serving on the Command Staff the last two years. Prior to his current position, Assistant Chief Anderson was a Battalion Chief and Fire Captain for over 15 years.
In early November, Chief Xavier Espino announced his retirement; his last day as Chief is Dec. 30, 2022.
“I’d like to thank Chief Espino for his dedication to the Long Beach community through his decades of service,” said Modica. “His leadership and achievements will be felt for many years to come. I wish him the best in retirement.”
The City’s recruitment process for the next permanent Fire Chief is likely to conclude in February 2023 and an announcement will be made about the City Manager’s appointment.
About the City of Long Beach
Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health and Human Services; Parks, Recreation and Marine; Development Services; Public Works and more. The City also has a highly respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, 12 libraries, five golf courses, 169 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths and a Bike Share program.
For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit http://longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.