LAGUNA BEACH

Fire Chief Bill Edmundson has announced that he will retire after five years of service for health reasons. Edmundson was hospitalized for hypertension this year after a vote of no confidence by the Laguna Beach Firefighters Assn. Association members lobbied for his resignation during the last election, calling him unprofessional and unable to adequately lead the department. Edmundson is credited by city officials for upgrading the city’s emergency response plan, the acquisition of equipment--including a new vehicle designed to fight brush fires--and establishing a paramedic assessment unit. James M. Reed will serve as interim chief beginning Sunday.