California Fire Chief Resigns in Wake of Criticism

Fire Chief David Barlag, who has faced months of criticism over his leadership, has resigned after two years as the department’s top official.

His resignation comes about two weeks before a written audit on the Fire Department is expected to be released.

Reached by phone, Barlag, who rose through the department ranks after joining Garden Grove as a firefighter in 1986, declined to comment. In an email to City Manager Matt Fertal, quoted by a city press release, he called being chief “one of the greatest pleasures” in his career and said his resignation was a “means for the department to begin to rebuild.”

Over the past several months, city officials, including Barlag, have faced allegations of nepotism in the hiring of Mayor Bruce Broadwater’s son, Jeremy Broadwater, as a firefighter. The Fire Department was also criticized for not doing hazardous materials inspections in 2012. And over the summer, the firefighters union cast a no confidence vote in Barlag’s leadership.

“I’m sorry he resigned,” the mayor said. “But he has taken a lot of heat lately and it wears a man out.”

Barlag’s resignation was announced to employees Tuesday night and a press release sent out Wednesday afternoon. It said he stepped down Tuesday and a nationwide search would begin for a new fire chief.

“I’m happy things are getting resolved,” Councilman Chris Phan said. “It’s important to move forward and put the department back together.”

“With much regret, I have accepted Fire Chief Barlag’s resignation,” Fertal said in the press release. “Dave has had a distinguished career with the department and in the fire service profession. He knows that he will continue to have the support and respect of his city family for many years to come.”

Fertal declined to discuss the timing of Barlag’s resignation.

Faith in the chief had steadily waned, at least among the city’s firefighters, after it was reported that Jeremy Broadwater had been hired by the Fire Department despite a criminal record and that, after his October 2013 hiring, his work drew reprimands from superiors.

In June, the Garden Grove firefighters union gave a 51-0 vote of no confidence in Barlag’s leadership.

Last month, when the City Council voted to tighten the city’s nepotism policy, Garden Grove firefighters overflowed the council chambers to demand a new fire chief.

Bruce Broadwater, who has denied any wrongdoing in the hiring of his son, said the criticism of Barlag’s leadership is unjustified and the firefighters shouldn’t have the right to dictate who is the chief.

“He represents the city,” Broadwater said. “He does not represent the firefighters. They don’t have the right to dictate their leader and they won’t pick their leader.”