Tybee Island’s plans for controlling crowds during Orange Crush this weekend took an unexpected turn this week.

Jeremy Kendrick, Tybee Island Fire Department (TIFD) Chief since November 2021, was placed on administrative leave on Tuesday, April 16, according to a press release issued by City of Tybee interim city manager Michelle Owens on Friday, April 19.

“The City of Tybee Island has placed Fire Chief Jeremy Kendrick on administrative leave as of Tuesday, April 16 until further notice,” said Owens. “The chain of succession within the fire department has been activated. Our operations remain in the capable hands of our Captain and Lieutenants for now.”

“Citizens can be assured that we are fully prepared for the busy season ahead.”

First reported by the Savannah Morning News, the sudden switch in leadership atop the fire department comes after Kendrick played a decision-making role in helping to prepare the island’s public safety measures for Orange Crush, which last year brought 48,700 people to Tybee on Saturday alone, and 111,100 over the three-day weekend.

Tybee officials have declined several requests from Connect Savannah asking for clarification on why the decision was made and who decided it.

“We cannot comment on personnel issues,” said Tybee’s Communication and Outreach Director Cassidi Kendrick (no relation) in an email sent to Connect Savannah on Friday morning.

“This is all the information I am able to share at this time.”

It is unclear what prevents the City of Tybee from commenting on “personnel issues” or what led to the decision to wait until Friday to announce the decision made on Tuesday.

Late on Friday, April 26, the City of Tybee announced officially the firing of Kendrick. The city, on the same day, posted a job opening for “Fire Chief.”

Listed on the city’s website, the job comes with a starting annual salary of $122,270. Kendrick’s removal was announced through an emailed press release by interim City Manager Michelle Owens.

“The City of Tybee Island has parted ways with Fire Chief Jeremy Kendrick, who was terminated from employment this week,” read the statement.

“The city has appointed Greg Socks and Jason Waterfield, two local, retired fire chiefs with decades of experience, to lead the department while the city conducts a search for a new fire chief. The city and its command staff within the fire department are confident that Chiefs Socks and Waterfield will provide excellent guidance during this transition.”

Kendrick declined to comment when reached by phone on Monday, April 29.
Socks and Waterfield are each employed by Emergency Management Solutions, Inc. It’s a consulting firm for emergency services where Socks is the President and Chief Executive Officer. Waterfield’s job title is listed as “Master Consultant” on the company’s website.

This article appears in Connect Savannah I April 2024.