There’s a new fire chief in town — or at least an interim one.
Wolfgang Knabe, a 40 year fire services veteran, will take over for current Fire Chief Bill Walker on June 4.
Knabe served as head of the Fullerton and Brea Fire Departments before retiring in 2018. He came out of retirement to assume the same role in Manhattan Beach last year.
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“I hope to be able to continue the great work of Fire Chief Bill Walker while the City searches for a new Fire Chief,” Knabe said in a statement issued through the City of Santa Monica.
“I have seen firsthand the quality of the men and women of the Santa Monica Fire Department and am looking forward to working with them to make sure the department, the community, and the City’s needs are met.”
Knabe will oversee 134 firefighters and staff and a budget of $46 million.
“We are fortunate that Chief Knabe will bring his two decades of leadership experience as a Fire Chief to Santa Monica this Summer,” said Interim City Manager Lane Dilg.
“Chief Knabe’s extensive knowledge and relationships within the Santa Monica Fire Department and across other Southern California agencies together with our strong Santa Monica Fire Department team ensure continued excellence in our fire services during this interim period.”
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