San Diego Removed Lifeguard Chief James Gartland
The city appointed deputy fire chief Dan Eddy to lead the department on an interim basis.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in People
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San Diego city officials removed lifeguard chief James Gartland from his position, ending his tenure in the role he held since 2018. Deputy fire chief Dan Eddy has been appointed to serve as the interim lifeguard chief.
Why it matters
The change in leadership arrives during a transition period for the city's aquatic safety operations, which fall under the municipal Fire-Rescue Department. Operators should monitor the department's direction as it manages both fire and lifeguard staff under unified command.
San Diego employs 110 full-time and 200 seasonal lifeguards who recently signed a three-year labor contract. This agreement includes a 9.5% pay increase scheduled for July 2028.
The players
James Gartland
The former San Diego lifeguard chief who served in the role since 2018.
Dan Eddy
A city deputy fire chief of emergency operations and former firefighter appointed as the interim lifeguard chief.
San Diego Fire-Rescue Department
The municipal agency responsible for providing fire suppression, emergency medical, and lifeguard services to the city.
The details
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department oversees the city's firefighting and lifeguard operations, with Dan Eddy assuming the lifeguard chief duties while continuing his work as deputy fire chief of emergency operations. This interim appointment centralizes leadership across the emergency service branches. The city recently finalized a three-year labor contract with its lifeguard staff, setting the current operational and compensation terms for the force.
Timeline
James Gartland began his lifeguard career 31 years ago.
Dan Eddy started his service as a city firefighter in 2000.
James Gartland served as lifeguard chief starting in 2018.
Lifeguards signed a new three-year labor contract in September 2026.
James Gartland was removed from his position on October 5, 2026.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition occurs within the established framework of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department's unified command structure. The move reflects an ongoing administrative trend of consolidating municipal emergency management oversight.
Management should track the interim leadership's approach to the newly signed three-year labor contract as it dictates future staffing and budget costs. Monitor operational adjustments for potential changes to seasonal hiring practices.
The takeaway
The consolidation of emergency services under a singular command structure indicates a move toward increased administrative efficiency. Business operators should review their own department head succession plans to ensure continuity when leadership vacancies occur.
Further reading
For more information on local staffing trends, read the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Diego Union-Tribune.
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