Schultz stepping down as fire chief

After roughly three-and-a-half years on the job, Garden Grove Fire Chief Tom Schultz is retiring.

The news that Schultz would be stepping down emerged as a rumor on Thursday morning and was confirmed later in the day by City Manager Scott Stiles.

“Yes, he is retiring,” said Stiles.  “I am asking him to stay on a little longer, for a more few more months. Just as we get through all of the OCFA stuff and some of the Measure O education stuff so it won’t be immediate. He’s going to stay around to help with the transition.”

Schultz came to the GGFD in April of 2015 after serving as deputy chief of operations for the Fullerton and Brea fire departments.

The Garden Grove City Council is considering a change that could make Schultz the 13th and last local fire chief. A proposal to shift fire and paramedic services to the Orange County Fire Authority is being studied, although no decision has been made.

Also, Garden Grove voters on Nov. 6 will be asked to approve a 1 cent sales tax – Measure O – which could bring in an estimated $19 million in new revenue annually.  The Big Strawberry is currently running a “structural deficit” which has meant the city has been dipping into reserves to balance the budget.

The Tribune was unable to reach Schultz for comment.