Sworn in as part of the family

Mike Morgan, the new chief of the Costa Mesa Fire Department, was publicly sworn in at a ceremony Thursday morning, three days after he officially began work in his new post.

The former assistant fire chief of Los Angeles County, Morgan replaced interim Fire Chief Steven Parker, who ran the department since August 2006.

He received his badge at a ceremony at Fire Station 5, with Mayor Allan Mansoor, City Councilwomen Katrina Foley and Linda Dixon, City Manager Allan Roeder and others in attendance.

“The staff here at the city and the fire department staff all made me feel instantly like I was a part of the family,” Morgan said. “It’s just been a wonderful experience so far.”

Morgan worked his last day in Los Angeles County on Friday.

A Pepperdine University graduate, he worked at his previous post for 22 years as a paramedic, urban search and rescue instructor, and battalion chief.

His first few days in Costa Mesa mostly involved building relationships, but he and his colleagues looked forward to turning a new page.

“So far, everything’s been real positive, and we’re looking forward to him being our fire chief,” said Battalion Chief Kirk Dominic.