Monterey, Calif. – The City of Monterey announces the retirement of Fire Chief Gaudenz Panholzer. City Manager Hans Uslar has accepted Fire Chief Gaudenz Panholzer’s retirement effective December 30, 2023 (FULL NEWS RELEASE IN PDF).

Chief Gaudenz Panholzer was hired as Monterey’s Fire Chief in 2013 following a tenured career in the fire service, including the San José Fire Department, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, and Carmel Highlands Fire Protection District.  Chief Panholzer’s most notable accomplishments in recent years were his efforts to secure and administer COVID-19 vaccines for public safety employees, vulnerable individuals, and the general public, as well as the implementation of paramedic services for the City of Monterey.

An interim fire chief will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

The City of Monterey expresses its gratitude to Chief Panholzer for his more than 45 years of professional work in the fire service.