New chief for Newport

Steve Lewis, Newport Beach’s sixth fire chief, was sworn in Monday before a full house of uniformed firefighters, city officials and his family at City Council chambers. Lewis has been on the job for two weeks and takes the department’s reins from Tim Riley, who is retiring after 15 years as chief.

Chosen from among 65 applicants, Lewis came from the Long Beach Fire Department, where he worked for more than two decades and served most recently as deputy fire chief. He agreed to stay with Newport for at least five years, though at 54 he’s eligible to retire sooner.

On Monday, Newport Beach City Manager Homer Bludau swore Lewis in, and Lewis’ wife, Tracy, pinned on his badge as his parents and their daughters, Anne Lewis and Amy Mayfield, watched. Bludau told the onlookers that Lewis, who lives in Huntington Beach, will be a good fit in Newport, in part because he likes to surf.

While the new chief is already getting good reviews, it was a bittersweet day because Riley was so well-liked and respected. City Council members have credited him with boosting fire department morale and building a first-class department.