The City of Long Beach announced Oct. 6 the retirement of Reginald “Reggie” Harrison, who serves as the Director of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications (DPEC).
Harrison, a Cal State Long Beach (CSULB) alumnus who has led DPEC since 2014, oversaw citywide emergency management, 9-1-1 emergency communications and the City’s Homeland Security Grants Program, which allocates millions of dollars yearly for disaster preparedness training and equipment acquisition.
“I am grateful to the residents of the City of Long Beach, the business community, and the City’s leadership for entrusting me with a number of highly impactful positions throughout the past three decades,” Harrison said in a public statement. “I am deeply proud of the work our team has accomplished together in building a more resilient Long Beach.”
As the City’s Emergency Manager, he completed the City’s first comprehensive Mass Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place Plan and developed a Family Assistance Center plan to support families during a disaster.
Under Harrison’s leadership, the Emergency Operations Center was activated for large-scale incidents such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, the center partnered with federal agencies and the City on a humanitarian mission to open an Emergency Intake Site to house 1,600 unaccompanied minors from the Mexican border as they awaited reunification with family members and sponsors.
Before his current role, he served as the City’s Chief City Manager in 2001 and previously served as the City’s Housing Authority Bureau Manager and Economic Development Bureau Manager, as well as acting director for various departments. Before joining the City of Long Beach, Harrison served in leadership roles with the cities of San Diego and Carlsbad.
Harrison also racked up awards, such as being recognized by Leadership Long Beach as one of its 25 “Most Impactful Alumni,” and Long Beach State honoring him as one of CSULB’s 49 Under 49 honorees. Additionally, he was named one of Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) Top 100 Influencers in Local Government.
“Reggie has spent three decades serving Long Beach, and his leadership has helped our city prepare for and respond to some of its most difficult moments,” City Manager Tom Modica said in a public statement. “He has strengthened our emergency communications and built partnerships that help us serve residents when they need us most. I’m grateful for the important impact Reggie has had on Long Beach and wish him the very best in retirement.”
Modica has appointed Kevin Lee as Acting Director of DPEC while the City conducts a national recruitment to fill the position permanently. Lee has worked with the City since 2017 and currently serves as the City’s Chief Communications Officer, overseeing citywide communications, including emergency and crisis communications.
Lee has served in communication leadership throughout several major emergencies and incidents, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the emergency Long Beach shelter for migrant children, Long Beach’s response to the 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires, and significant storm events such as Tropical Storm Hilary and the City’s current proclaimed emergency related to the 2026-27 El Niño and winter storm season.
In retirement, Harrison plans to travel and spend time with his family. His last day in active service as director will be Oct. 22.
