Assistant Fire Chief Tracy Jarman said yesterday she is a candidate for the chief's position.
The top job in the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department opened up last week when Chief Jeff Bowman said he would step down June 30.
Jarman had planned to retire in June but changed her mind shortly after Bowman's surprise announcement.
“This is my city, this is my family,” Jarman said. “It's not a decision I made lightly, but it wasn't a difficult one. I grew up with this department.”
Jarman is considered a front-runner to replace Bowman, who earns $173,000 a year.
Jarman started with the department 22 years ago as a recruit. Bowman promoted her about three years ago to assistant chief and placed her at the top of his succession plan. He has said she's the only one inside the department ready for the job.
Still, Jarman was careful to note she's just an applicant. Mayor Jerry Sanders will make the decision, and he is committed to a national search.
“It would be an honor to serve as his fire chief, but I would be supportive during the transition if he selects someone else,” Jarman said.
If she gets the job, Jarman would be one of just a few female fire chiefs in the country. The 49-year-old, who is single and lives in Del Mar, downplayed the significance of that.
“It's more about your experience and your credentials,” she said.
Assistant Police Chief Bill Maheu, the No. 2 man behind San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne, is impressed with Jarman.
“I've worked with her, and I've found her to be very receptive to new ideas. She's bright. She knows the department. She knows the city,” Maheu said yesterday. “You're going to have to get somebody good to beat her out.”
Jarman and Maheu spoke from Fire Station 1 in downtown San Diego. They were there, along with the rest of the city's top public-safety officials, to support Sanders as he announced his first budget proposal for the police and fire departments.
Bowman, who pointed to underfunding as the primary reason for his resignation, had asked Sanders for a $50 million increase in the upcoming budget. The mayor, who is saddled with a financial mess that includes a pension deficit of at least $1.4 billion, came up with about $13 million.
Jarman said it's too early for her to say how she would try to fix the department on a paper-thin budget.
“I know what needs to be done,” she said. “Today was a good start.”
Tony Manolatos: (619) 542-4559; tony.manolatos@uniontrib.com
