San Diego Fire Chief Retires

[Truck4 48]

When in San Diego in 2004, I was talking to a member of SDFD Rescue 1 who told me how great the guys felt when Chief Bowman took over in 2002 and that things were really going to change for the better. This is a major US city with a heavily populated waterfront, on one of the busiest bays on the West Coast, and does not have a fireboat.

From 10news.com

San Diego Fire Chief Jeff Bowman officially retires Friday, apparently disgruntled over a lack of resources for the department.

The 54-year-old Bowman, a firefighter for 33 years who took command of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department in May 2002 after stepping down as Anaheim's fire chief, announced his resignation April 4.

He has supported Assistant San Diego Fire Chief Tracy Jarman, saying that his second-in-command, "inside the department, is the only one ready for the job."

Jarman, who joined the department 22 years ago, is at the top in the department's plan of succession, which Bowman developed shortly after he arrived four years ago.

SDFRD Capt. Michael Merriken said Jarman has been named interim chief and is one of more than 20 applicants vying for the job, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Bowman expressed confidence in Mayor Jerry Sanders, who expects to name the next chief by Aug. 1, according to the newspaper.

Bowman has alluded to insufficient money and resources for the department, a pension promise that never went through and San Diego's financial troubles as reasons for his departure.

"I will miss the people, but I won't miss the job," Bowman told the Union-Tribune.

Bowman has already sold his home in Kensington and bought one in Escondido, and he and his wife, Denise, are thinking about starting a small winery on their 2 1/2-acre property, according to the Union-Tribune.

Bowman said he expects he'll have plenty of consulting offers to consider and that he sees himself instructing departments across the state.

[Guest]

From what I hear, the city is in terrible financial shape, and is a political nightmare to deal with from the inside. Not what I would imagine of San Diego.

I wonder why he would step down, even as disgusted as he is, rather then fight? Maybe he has, and it's futile.