San Diego’s longtime lifeguard chief, James Gartland, was removed from his job Monday and replaced by Deputy Chief Dan Eddy, the city’s deputy fire chief of emergency operations.
A city spokesperson confirmed Tuesday that Gartland no longer works for the city, and also confirmed the appointment of Eddy as an interim replacement.
But the spokesperson, Nicole Darling, said no additional comment was possible because the situation is a personnel matter.
Connor Robbins, leader of the city’s lifeguards union, also declined to comment.
“We lack enough information to comment at this time,” Robbins said by phone Tuesday afternoon.
Gartland has been lifeguards chief since 2018. He began his city lifeguard career 31 years ago, serving as marine safety captain before being promoted to chief.
His departure comes three weeks after city lifeguards inked a new three-year labor contract that includes no pay hikes during this fiscal year or next, but a 9.5% increase in July 2028.
Gartland is a graduate of San Diego State University, where he received a degree in business administration/accounting.
Eddy has been a city firefighter since 2000. He has previously been a battalion chief, deputy operations chief and assistant fire chief.
Because the city’s Fire-Rescue Department includes both firefighters and lifeguards, it’s not unusual for a top fire official to serve as interim leader of the lifeguard division.
In Eddy’s current position, he oversees all emergency operations and special operations, including lifeguard functions like urban search and rescue.
The city has about 110 full-time lifeguards and about 200 seasonal lifeguards.