Newport Beach Fire Department

Book excerpt: For nearly a century, the men and women of the Newport Beach Fire Department have served their Orange County community with dedication, professionalism, and grace. Starting with a primitive hose reel and a dozen volunteers in 1911, determined Newport Beach firefighters protected the always tourism-friendly community with more dedication than equipment. In 1927, the volunteers were disbanded and a paid fire department was organized. This volume celebrates 100 years of the Newport Beach Fire Department's exemplary service by combining historical photographs with a narrative that traces the evolution of firefighting in Newport Beach from its turn-of-the-century roots to the state-of-the-art operation it is today, entrusted with protecting one of coastal California's most affluent and picturesque showcase communities.