Fire chief to retire after 38 years of service, overseeing the merging of Brea/Fullerton command staff

Fire Chief Wolfgang Knabe, leader of the Fullerton and Brea departments, said he will retire Dec. 29 to pursue other opportunities.

Deputy Chief of Operations Adam Loeser will be the next chief for the two departments, which function independently but share a command staff. He has handled day-to-day operations for the departments since 2015.

Knabe has served as Fullerton’s fire chief since 2005. When the two cities merged their command staffs in 2011 to save money, he became Brea’s chief as well. Combined the departments have more than 130 employees.

“Right now, I think, is a good time because both departments are run very well,” Knabe said. “Everything’s aligned for success at this time.”

Knabe launched the Urban Search and Rescue program for the departments. He also navigated the departments through cuts, part of the cities’ broader budget reduction.

“Nobody wanted to do it,” he said.

The cities have discussed completely merging their fire departments, but the discussions stalled.

“My job is to provide the data and professional recommendation to them,” Loeser said about his role in the discussion. “We want to have a buy-in on it and formally present whatever options may be.”

Knabe started working at the Los Angeles Fire Department in 1980, rising to battalion chief. He served as San Luis Obispo’s fire chief from 2002 to 2005.

Knabe said he may seek other opportunities and increase his commitment as a part-time detective in La Habra Police.