Scott Poster, Newport Beach's Fire Chief, Hangs up Helmet & Retires

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — On Dec. 19, the City of Newport Beach Fire Chief Scott Poster “hung up his helmet” and retired, according to the fire department in a recent release.

Poster has more than four decades of experience as an emergency responder, having worked as a paramedic before joining the fire service. He was a member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department for 29 years before being named Fire Chief for the Newport Beach Fire Department (NBFD) in January 2012.

“Serving our residents and visitors has been very rewarding,” Poster said. “And, I look back with amazement at all that the men and women of the NBFD have accomplished in five short years.

Our beaches are protected by the best lifeguards in the country. Our firefighters are highly skilled and provide the best customer service of any fire department I’ve seen. We have an outstanding Community Emergency Response Team and we are on the leading edge of Emergency Medical Services in the state of California.”

In Newport Beach, Poster led the reorganization of the fire department, establishing a much-needed training section. He also oversaw the expansion of its paramedic services and developed an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division. Under his leadership, the department participated in a community paramedicine pilot project.

“Chief Poster’s legacy with Newport Beach is an important one,” said City Manager Dave Kiff.

“He has led us through tough budget times as well as changes in the EMS system related to the Affordable Care Act. This led to a greater emphasis on integrating the Fire/EMS service into the overall health care system, and no one was better at it than Chief Poster. I admire and respect him and wish him all the best in retirement.”

Poster and his wife Barbara have lived in Orange County for more than four decades. They intend to spend his retirement enjoying time with their children and grandsons.

Newport Beach Fire’s Assistant Fire Chief Chip Duncan will serve as Acting Fire Chief and Battalion Chief Jeff Boyles will serve as Acting Assistant Fire Chief for Operations.

Photo, courtesy Newport Beach Fire Department