San Diego Fire-Rescue Chief Brian Fennessy is leaving the job after two-and-a-Shalf years for a position leading the Orange County Fire Authority.
He will be replaced on an interim basis by Kevin Ester, who has been serving as assistant chief of business operations.
The city plans to launch an open recruitment next week for a permanent replacement for Fennessy, whose last day will be April 13.
Fennessy, 58, was the driving force behind upgrading the city’s helicopter program, which now has two firefighting and rescue helicopters with night-flying capability that are available for water drops and rescues throughout the county.