When Eric Garcia first joined the Burbank Fire Department, he didn’t think this moment would happen.
Back when he was starting out as a recruit in 1994, he was content with becoming a paramedic engineer. The 46-year-old said he always wanted to become a paramedic and was pretty adept at being a mechanic. Now, Garcia will lead the department as its new chief. He’ll succeed Tom Lenahan, who announced his retirement in October. Heading into his new role, Garcia will have to contend with a citywide budget deficit that’s expected to balloon to $27.4 million by the 2022-23 fiscal year.