LBFD Chief Gargan won’t seek reelection

John Gargan, chief of the Long Beach Fire Department, told the Herald he will not seek reelection.

“I’m not going to be chief next year, I’ve decided to step down,” Gargan, a volunteer firefighter with the department and a chief for the past five years, said on Monday. Gargan’s term as chief expires on April 14.

Gargan added that he also may be leaving the department due to personal issues.

“It’s a little tough working up here right now, the economy is bad and I have a lot on my plate and I can’t juggle work and my commitment to the fire service right now,” he explained. “Other than that everything’s good, the fire department is running well and that’s all you can ask for.”

An LBFD chief serves a one-year term and must run for reelection each year. The department’s bylaws allow a firefighter to be a chief for two years consecutively “if you choose to be, it’s not automatic,” said LBFD Commissioner Scott Kemins.

“And he has chosen not to run and take care of his family and personal life,” Kemins added. “I applaud him for that because a lot of times guys put their family and personal life on the back burner and you can never get that time with your family back.”

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