Long Beach
Fire Department

Long Beach Fire Chief Xavier Espino has selected Assistant Chief Jeff Hardin, a 23-year veteran of the Fire Department, and Assistant Chief Dennis Buchanan, a 27-year veteran of the Fire Department for promotion to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief. Chief Hardin will take over as the Deputy Chief of Operations after the recent retirement of Deputy Chief Ray Toohey. Chief Buchanan will assume the role of Deputy Chief of Support Services that was recently vacated by Deputy Chief Robbie Grego who has now assumed the role of Fire Marshal for the City and will lead the Fire Prevention Bureau after the recent retirement of Deputy Chief Matt Gruneisen.

Battalion Chief Donald Anderson, a 23-year veteran of the Fire Department, and Battalion Chief Jim Arvizu, a 27-year veteran of the Fire Department were also promoted to the rank of Assistant Fire Chief. Chief Anderson will take over as the Assistant Chief of Operations, while Chief Arvizu will assume the role of Assistant Chief of Support Services.

Deputy Chief Jeff Hardin began his career as a Firefighter with the City of Long Beach on September 22, 1997. He was promoted to Engineer in 2002, to Captain in 2006, to Battalion Chief in 2018, and to Assistant Chief in 2019. Deputy Chief Hardin has held various assignments throughout his career, to include serving as the Director of Training, Fire Academy Cadre member, Firefighter Survival Instructor, Terrorist Liaison Officer, Swiftwater Rescue Team member, Urban Search and Rescue Team member, and he served on various additional committees supporting Departmental needs.

Deputy Chief Hardin was most recently assigned to the Operations Bureau as the Assistant Chief. He is a graduate of Long Beach City College with an Associate Degree in Fire Science. Deputy Chief Hardin served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve for eight years and was a Long Beach Lifeguard prior to starting his career as a Firefighter. 

Deputy Chief Dennis Buchanan began his career with the Long Beach Fire Department in 1993 as a Firefighter. He served as a Paramedic and was promoted to Captain in 2002, to Battalion Chief in September of 2019, and to Assistant Chief in December of 2019.  Deputy Chief Buchanan has held various assignments throughout his career, including his assignment as one of our first Hazardous Materials Captains assigned to Fire Station 24 located in the Port of Long Beach.

Deputy Chief Buchanan was most recently assigned to the Support Services Bureau as the Assistant Chief. He is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Studies where he also earned his teaching credential. Deputy Chief Buchanan played professional soccer in Mexico, Brazil, and Holland prior to starting his career as a Firefighter.

Assistant Chief Donald Anderson began his career as a Firefighter with the City of Long Beach on September 22, 1997. He served as a Paramedic and was promoted to Captain in 2005, and to Battalion Chief in 2019.  Assistant Chief Anderson has held various assignments throughout his career, including his assignment as one of our first Hazardous Materials Captains assigned to Fire Station 24 located in the Port of Long Beach. In addition, Assistant Chief Anderson served on the Fire Academy Instructor Cadre and a Terrorist Liaison Officer; he has also participated on various additional committees supporting Departmental needs such at the Leadership Development Committee.

Assistant Chief Anderson was most recently assigned to the Support Services Bureau as the Director of Training at the Captain David Rosa Regional Training Center. He is a graduate of California State University, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Protection Administration and Technology. He also earned his Associate of Science degree in Public Fire Service from Santa Ana College. Assistant Chief Anderson has a background in construction and served as an Ambulance Operator for the Huntington Beach Fire Department and a Reserve Firefighter for the Santa Ana Fire Department prior to starting his career as a Firefighter in Long Beach.

Assistant Chief Jim Arvizu began his career with the Long Beach Fire Department in 1993 as a Firefighter. He served as a Paramedic and was promoted to Captain in 2002, and to Battalion Chief in 2014.  Assistant Chief Arvizu has held various assignments throughout his career, including serving as a Public Information Officer, Paramedic Coordinator, and the Port of Long Beach liaison for the Fire Prevention Bureau. While assigned to Operations as a Battalion Chief, Chief Arvizu oversaw Fire Boat operations, Airport operations, and Hazardous Materials operations.  In 2011, Chief Arvizu was selected as the "Sworn Employee of the Year."

Assistant Chief Arvizu was recently assigned to the Operations Bureau as a Battalion Chief. He is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Studies where he also earned his teaching credential.

A date for a future promotion ceremony to celebrate their accomplishments is still to be determined.