MILLENNIUM MOMENT

R.J. “Jan” Briscoe joined the Newport Beach fire department as a

volunteer in 1927, risking his life for $1.50 a fire. Four years later,

he was appointed fire captain, and in 1952, he advanced to fire chief, a

position he held for 19 years. He was honored by the Exchange Club of

Newport Harbor for his 40-plus years of service in 1971, and he has also

received the Newport Beach City Employees Service Award. Briscoe retired

in December of 1971 and continued his hobby of growing “prize-winning”

orchids in his Newport Beach home.

MILLENNIUM MOMENT celebrates the people who made a major contribution to

the Newport-Mesa community during this century.