San Diego Removed Lifeguard Chief James Gartland
The city has appointed deputy fire chief Dan Eddy to serve as the interim lifeguard chief.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in People
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The City of San Diego removed longtime lifeguard chief James Gartland from his position on October 5, 2026. Deputy fire chief Dan Eddy, a veteran of the city fire service, has been appointed to lead the agency on an interim basis.
Why it matters
The change in leadership follows a recent shift in labor relations for the department. The transition comes shortly after city lifeguards secured a new three-year contract.
James Gartland spent 31 years as a city lifeguard before his removal. The department manages a workforce consisting of 110 full-time and 200 seasonal lifeguards.
The players
James Gartland
He served as the San Diego lifeguard chief from 2018 until his removal in 2026.
Dan Eddy
He is the city deputy fire chief of emergency operations and was named interim lifeguard chief.
The details
The city Fire-Rescue Department oversees both firefighters and lifeguards, facilitating the appointment of Dan Eddy to the interim role. Eddy has served as a city firefighter since 2000 and currently operates as the deputy fire chief of emergency operations.
Timeline
James Gartland began his career as a city lifeguard 31 years ago.
Dan Eddy joined the city fire department as a firefighter in 2000.
James Gartland served as lifeguard chief starting in 2018.
Lifeguards signed a new three-year labor contract in September 2026.
The city removed James Gartland from his position on October 5, 2026.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition occurs under the framework of the San Diego three-year lifeguard labor contract signed in 2026. The move shifts management within the unified Fire-Rescue Department hierarchy.
Residents should not see immediate changes to daily lifeguard operations during this transition. The primary financial impact for the city remains the 9.5% pay increase scheduled for July 2028.
The takeaway
The move marks a significant shift in the oversight of San Diego emergency water services. Public safety remains the primary focus as the department navigates this change in administrative leadership.
What happens next
A 9.5% pay increase for lifeguards is scheduled to take effect in July 2028 as part of the current labor agreement.
Further reading
For more information on local municipal staff changes, see People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Diego Union-Tribune.
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