San Diego Fire Chief Tracy Jarman to Retire: The Story of One of America's 34 Female Career Fire Chiefs

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Tracy Jarman, San Diego Fire Rescue Department's first female Fire Chief and one of only 34 female Fire Chiefs in the United States, will retire on June 27, 2009 after 25 years of service to the department.  Throughout her career Chief Jarman has shown dedication and resolve as she worked her way up through the ranks, and as Fire Chief she has been credited with improvements in firefighter training, the acquisition of needed equipment and fire stations, and the effective leadership of her department through some of San Diego's worst wildfires.

Tracy Jarman's Career

Firefighting was not always in Tracy Jarman's plan.  Originally, she intended to become a Marine Biologist and was a student at Scripps Oceanography in San Diego, California.  While attending school, Tracy held a job in an office next to the area where the San Diego Fire Rescue Department did their hose lays and it was there that she first thought about becoming a firefighter.  Explaining the life changing moment, she says, "That's the first time I'd seen firefighters, let alone a woman firefighter, and it's just like the lightbulb went off.  I had never that about that as a career opportunity."  Jarman was laid off of her office job soon afterwards and found out that the fire department was hiring.  She attended the fire academy, passed all of the necessary tests, and became one of only a few females in a department that had been historically male-dominated.

Tracy Jarman explains that she immediately felt a passion for the job and began to learn all that she could, and through the years she worked to rise through the ranks of the San Diego Fire Rescue Department, working in most of the positions that the diverse department offers.  Jarman attributes some of her success to the efforts of female trailblazers that came before her, along with the lessons and advice given to her by mentors in the fire department.  "I was fortunate that I wasn't the first one, and then I've had outstanding mentors along the way, people that took me under their wing and taught me how to drive apparatus, how to interview well, how to work through the promotion process.  Each step of the way, I think there was a different person that maybe came in and played a part in my career."

Tracy Jarman's Achievements

Chief Jarman's peers describe her as a dynamic woman and a first class firefighter.  After years of hard work, she was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief in May of 2003, just a few months before the area's devastating Cedar Fires.  On June 24, 2006, she was promoted to Fire Chief, making her the first female to hold the position in the second largest city in the state of California.  In October of 2007, the Witch Creek Fires struck San Diego, the second worst series of fires in California's history.  200,000 residents were evacuated, and remarkably no one was hurt.  Many attribute this to the effective leadership of Chief Jarman and her management team.  When asked what contributed to this success, she says, "I think probably, number one, staying calm, keeping everyone together.  I think especially if the leader of the organization stays calm, you're in control, got a plan, the rest of the fire department just falls in line and really, my hat is off to the men and women who responded.  They did an outstanding job."  She also feels that a great deal of credit should be given to the mutual aid and the working relationship that the fire department and law enforcement agencies had during the fire.  A police liaison was embedded with the fire department, and this made for immediate and effective communications with regards to evacuations.  Jarman says, "We did a better job of the planning and preparedness on the evacuations in trying to get them out early."

During her tenure as Fire Chief, Tracy Jarman was also responsible for improving the fire department's equipment.  She acquired a second fire-rescue helicopter, and implemented an apparatus replacement program that brought firefighters forty new engines, trucks, heavy rescue rigs, life guard boats and bomb squad vehicles.  Jarman worked with members of the fire department to secure grants for much needed tools and equipment. She also commissioned 3 new fire stations, increasing the number of n the city from 44 to 47.

Training and education was also a priority for Chief Jarman, and she took steps to ensure that firefighters received the newest and best training available.  "After the wildfires of 2007, I made it a top priority for every uniformed member of the department to attend an extensive 'Structure Triage' course to be better prepared in wildfire situations in the course of saving property and lives," she explains.

Jarman has always been an active member of fire service organizations, serving on the FEMA Region IX Advisory Committee and the Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force.  As the Vice President of the San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association, she has been a leader in the effort to improve fire protection in the region.  The California Fire Chiefs Association recognized her dedication and service by naming her "2008 Fire Chief of the Year."  Jarman says that after receiving this award, she has been contacted by Fire Chiefs across the country seeking her opinion and advice on situations affecting the fire service, such the national economic crisis.

Tracy Jarman's Retirement

After a long and productive career, Tracy Jarman has announced her retirement citing personal and financial reasons for her departure.  A significant change in the fire department's pension plan has made it so that Jarman and several other department veterans would loose a large amount of retirement compensation if they chose to continue in their positions.  Additionally Jarman's father is ill and she sees this as an important opportunity to spend more time with him.  Jarman leaves the department with mixed emotions.  While she is sad to leave the men and women of her department, she feels great pride in the accomplishments of her team and has the ultimate confidence that they will succeed in the years to come.  In a statement announcing her resignation, she encourages them to believe in themselves saying, "You have been given the training and knowledge you need to step up and guide this department through the challenges that lie ahead.  Be confident!  This is a great time of opportunity and renewed energy for the Department."  She has also committed to staying on-board as Interim Chief for up to 90 days as the City of San Diego searches for her successor.

Related Links

Transcript of Chief Tracy Jarman's Retirement Statement

Video Featuring Chief Jarman's 2008 California Fire Chief of the Year Award

Video Featuring Female Pioneers of the San Diego Fire Rescue Department

Video Featuring San Diego Fire Rescue Department's Recent Equipment Acquisitions

Video Featuring San Diego Fire Rescue Department's Helicopter Night Water Drops