Beverly Hills Names Interim Deputy Fire Chief

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Beverly Hills City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved Wolfgang Knabe as interim Deputy Fire Chief following Joe Matsch's retirement in December.

Knabe will hold the position beginning Monday as the city conducts a search for a permanent replacement, which will consider internal and external candidates, according to Chief Communications Officer Keith Sterling. The search process is expected to take several months.

Knabe has worked in public safety for 40 years and previously served as the Fire Chief for the Fullerton/Brea Shared Command department. After his retirement in 2018, Knabe served as Interim Fire Chief for Santa Monica in 2021 and Manhattan Beach in 2020, according to the city of Beverly Hills.

“I am thrilled to welcome Wolfgang to Beverly Hills,” Fire Chief Greg Barton said in a news release. “His vast expertise across Southern California will bring tremendous value and support to our department.”

Knabe will not be considered for the full time position, according to a news release from the city.