Days before Orange Crush, City of Tybee Island places fire chief on administrative leave

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to include a statement released Friday morning from Interim City Manager Michelle Owens.

Tybee Island's Fire Chief Jeremy Kendrick was placed on administrative leave on Tuesday, just days before the anticipated onslaught of spring breakers for the annual unpermitted Orange Crush weekend, which drew more than 100,000 visitors to the island over three days in 2023. No reason for the move has been given by city officials.

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On Thursday, Cassidi Kendrick, the City of Tybee communications director and outreach director, responded via email, "We cannot comment on personnel issues, and be assured that this will not impact our public safety readiness for Spring Break this weekend."

By Friday morning, Interim City Manager Michelle Owens sent out a prepared statement that read, in part, "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.

Jeremy Kendrick, a Georgia native and 28-year veteran of fire and emergency services, was appointed chief of Tybee Island's Fire Department in 2021 after the previous chief, Matt Harrell, resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.

Savannah Morning News has made an open records request regarding this issue. This is a developing story.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Days before Orange Crush, City of Tybee Island places fire chief on administrative leave