Long Beach
Fire Department

Long Beach, CA – Today, Long Beach Fire Department Chief Dennis Buchanan announced the appointment of two Assistant Chiefs as a part of Long Beach Fire Department Command Staff. 

“I am proud to announce these appointments to join our Fire Department Command Staff,” said Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan. “I am thankful for their commitment and dedication, and I look forward to serving with them to protect our City and community.”  

On March 27th, 2023, Chief Buchanan appointed Assistant Chief of Operations Donald Anderson to Deputy Chief of Support Services. 

Deputy Chief Donald Anderson
Chief Donald Anderson began his career as a Firefighter with the City of Long Beach on September 22nd, 1997. He served as a Paramedic and was promoted to Captain in 2005, Battalion Chief in 2019, and Assistant Chief in 2021. 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, Chief Anderson served on the Fire Academy Instructor Cadre and as a Terrorist Liaison Officer. Before his promotion to Deputy Chief, Chief Anderson was assigned to the Operations Bureau as the Assistant Chief. 

Chief Anderson has been involved in numerous committees and working groups to enhance our Department and Community. Some were being on the Leadership Development Committee, Joint Regional Intelligence Center Organization, Cal Fire State Training Organization, and completing Leadership Long Beach. 

He is a California State University, Los Angeles graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Protection Administration and Technology. He also earned his Associate of Science in Public Fire Service from Santa Ana College. 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 before starting his career as a Firefighter in Long Beach. 

Assistant Chief Jason Hosea
Assistant Chief Jason Hosea began his career with the Long Beach Fire Department in 1996. After spending two years as a Firefighter, he was assigned as a Firefighter/Paramedic from 1998 to 2003. He was then promoted to Fire Captain in 2003, working various assignments such as Paramedic Coordinator and Rescue Boat Captain. 

Chief Hosea was appointed the Department’s first Diversity Recruitment and Partnerships Manager. In that role, he started the Jordan High School Fire Pathways Program. He was then promoted to Battalion Chief in 2020, where he served as an Operations Battalion Chief in the field. Chief Hosea then moved to Fire Headquarters, where he served in an administrative role overseeing the Ambulance Operator Program and various capital improvement projects.

Chief Hosea holds a Master’s Degree from California State University of Long Beach in Emergency Services Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocational Education from CSULB, and two Associate’s Degrees, in Fire Science and Liberal Arts from Mount San Antonio College. Chief Hosea is a Fire Technology Instructor at a local Community College and serves on various Statewide fire service committees. Prior to working for Long Beach Fire Department, he worked as a Firefighter/Paramedic for the Rialto Fire Department.

Assistant Chief Karen Rindone
Assistant Chief Karen Rindone began her career with the Long Beach Fire Department in 2004. She became the first woman to be promoted to Engineer in 2010. She was then promoted to Fire Captain in 2015 and shortly after became the Department’s first woman to be promoted to Battalion Chief. Chief Rindone continues to make Long Beach Fire Department history as the first sworn woman to join the Department’s Command Staff. 

Chief Rindone has served on many working groups within the City and participated in several projects where her leadership, knowledge, and experience have played a significant role in the Department’s success. Some projects included new Fire Station 9, Basic and Advanced Life Support Program Manager, electronic patient care reporting, and Fire Department data collection.

Chief Rindone holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design and Marketing from California State University Fullerton and an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from Santa Ana College. Prior to working for the Long Beach Fire Department, Chief Rindone had an extensive career working in the private sector and was a Reserve Firefighter for OCFA and Santa Ana Fire Department. Chief Rindone is also currently the lead Fire Control instructor at Santa Ana College’s basic fire academy, where she continues to teach and mentor future Firefighters. 

They will be joining the following members of the Fire Department Command Staff: 

Fire Chief Dennis Buchannan
Fire Chief Buchannan has been with the Long Beach Fire Department for over 29 years.

Deputy Chief Robbie Grego
Deputy Chief Grego is currently assigned to the Fire Prevention Bureau, as the City Fire Marshal. He has been with the Long Beach Fire Department for over 28 years. 

Deputy Chief Jeff Hardin
Deputy Chief Hardin is currently assigned to the Operations Bureau. He has been with the Long Beach Fire Department for over 25 years.

Marine Safety Chief Gonzalo Medina
Marine Safety Chief Medina is currently the Marine Safety Division Chief. He has been with the Long Beach Fire Department for 28 years.

Assistant Chief Jim Arvizu
Assistant Chief Arvizu is currently assigned to the Support Services Bureau. He has been with the Long Beach Fire Department for over 29 years.

Bureau Manager Maura Ventura
Bureau Manager Ventura is currently assigned to the Administration Bureau. She has been with the Fire Department for six months and has worked for the City of Long Beach for 14 years. 

Administrative Officer Sarah Green
Administrative Officer Green is currently assigned to the Administration Bureau. She has been with the Fire Department for nearly two years and has worked for the City of Long Beach for six years.