San Diego Fire Rescue Department settled an age discrimination lawsuit with former Deputy Chief Kelly Zombro for $190K. Zombro alleged that he was forced to resign due to age discrimination, degraded by top management, and retaliated against for taking family medical leave, highlighting troubling labor practices within the department.

Facing a more than $250 million city budget deficit, the San Diego Fire Rescue Department could face cuts impacting dispatch operations, the fire academy, and helicopter staffing. While leadership emphasizes collaborative mutual aid agreements to mitigate these effects, planned savings via unfilled vacancies raise concerns about worker conditions and the structural capacity to respond to emergencies.

Robert Logan was appointed as the new Fire-Rescue Chief for the San Diego Fire Department, becoming the first Black fire chief in over two decades. His appointment, announced by Mayor Todd Gloria on July 15, 2024, emphasizes transparent, inclusive leadership and community collaboration to address diverse needs.

On July 15, 2024, Mayor Todd Gloria presented Deputy Chief Robert Logan as the new Fire-Rescue Chief for the San Diego Fire Rescue Department. Logan, the first Black fire chief in over two decades, emphasized transparency, collaboration, and workforce diversity reflecting a commitment to equitable public service.

San Diego Fire Rescue Department has selected Deputy Chief Robert Logan as the next fire chief, following a recommendation by Mayor Todd Gloria. Logan, an insider who has risen through the ranks, is noted for his experience, community engagement, and plans to boost employee morale and leverage technology to enhance emergency response. His appointment, which will be subject to City Council approval, is backed by local unions and reflects a commitment to progressive, worker-centered management.

The NAACP sent a letter to Mayor Gloria and San Diego City Council urging the Fire-Rescue Department to address persistent cultural issues, including complaints about racist symbols and discriminatory practices. The group demanded mandatory cultural sensitivity and implicit bias training, as well as improvements in recruitment practices to better represent Black candidates, amidst reports that common spaces had displayed imagery linked to far‐right symbolism.

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department has settled a $3.4 million class action lawsuit related to underpayment of overtime wages for 705 current or former employees, who alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The settlement, agreed to avoid further litigation, highlights serious deficiencies in the department’s labor practices.

The NAACP San Diego Branch called on city leaders to address a hostile, toxic culture within the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department after racist and divisive symbols—such as the Gadsden flag and thin blue line imagery—were found on fire equipment and in stations. In response, the department removed the offensive imagery and reiterated its commitment to diversity and a safe work environment.