Skip to content
News
Link copied to clipboard
Link copied to clipboard

Philly deputy fire commissioner headed to Sacramento to become chief

Gary Loesch will lead a department with a $118 million annual budget and 681 employees.

Deputy Fire Commissioner Gary Loesch (left) with Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel. Loesch will become Sacramento's fire chief on Oct. 1
Deputy Fire Commissioner Gary Loesch (left) with Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel. Loesch will become Sacramento's fire chief on Oct. 1Read morePhiladelphia Fire Department

Philadelphia's second highest-ranking firefighter is headed to California to become Sacramento's fire chief.

Gary Loesch, who started with the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1985 and rose to the rank of Deputy Fire Commissioner, will start his new job in the Golden State's capital city on Oct. 1.

Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel made the announcement to his department on Friday.

"After his decorated 33-year career with the PFD, I am confident Chief Loesch will provide outstanding leadership for the men and women of the Sacramento (City) Fire Department. While we are going to miss him here in Philadelphia, I know you will join me in saying 'CONGRATULATIONS!!!' before his last work day on Sept. 24. Thank you all for your service to our city … and stay safe!" Thiel wrote.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said in a statement: "Chief Loesch has a reputation for strong leadership and an even temperament. Those skills will benefit our city as we continue to grow while maintaining excellent service for our residents."

Loesch will lead a department with a $118 million annual budget and 681 employees.

His LinkedIn biography states that he graduated from Lincoln High School in 1980 and earned a bachelor's degree in public safety administration from Neumann University in 2016.