Thanks to the Commodores

Twice in the same evening, the Commodores Club of the Newport

Beach Chamber of Commerce paid tribute to the men and women of the

Newport Beach Fire Department.

Last Thursday evening, the Commodores hosted the fifth annual Fire

and Lifeguard Appreciation Beach Party at the Newport Dunes

Waterfront Resort. The food was excellent, the company was grand, the

atmosphere electric and the forum perfect to recognize our Lifeguard

of the Year Chris Conway, Marine Safety Officer of the Year Mike

Halphide, Firefighter of the Year Jim Jeziorski and all of the

firefighters, lifeguards and support staff who serve to keep Newport

Beach a safe and serene place to live, work and play. Speaking on

behalf of all of our employees, we are humbled by this public

outpouring of recognition and support.

And if that was not enough, the Commodores went above and beyond

this huge act of kindness by presenting us with a beautiful

fire-engine red “Barbecue on Wheels.” Any one in attendance at the

Beach Party will tell you that this is the barbecue to beat all

barbecues, complete with registration from the Dept. of Motor

Vehicles. In the hands of our capable firefighter chefs, this thing

will cook hot dogs or hotcakes for hundreds at a time and do it in

style. I know our team is excited to have it; it will soon be a

regular fixture at community events all around Newport Beach.

These two acts of kindness for our department are just another

example of the difference the Commodores make in the quality of life

in Newport Beach. Look behind the scenes at the big events in this

community and you’ll see Commodores running the show: the Christmas

Boat Parade, the Sandcastle Contest, the High School Scholastic and

Athletic Awards, the Flight of the Lasers and the Irrelevant Week

Arrival Party, as well as providing their support for such events as

the Toshiba Senior Classic, the Taste of Newport or the Boy Scout Sea

Base.

So, in appreciation for the tribute you paid to us at the beach

party, for the wonderful gift of the barbecue and for all you do to

make a difference in the quality of life in Newport Beach, we say

thanks Commodores. We salute you!

TIM RILEY

Newport Beach fire chief,

and the men and women of the

Newport Beach Fire Department