Top firefighters, lifeguards named

Deepa Bharath

NEWPORT BEACH -- Three members of the Newport Beach Fire and Marine

Department were honored at an annual gala at the Newport Dunes Waterfront

Resort on Thursday evening.

The fourth annual Newport Beach Fire and Lifeguard Appreciation party

awarded accolades to firefighters and lifeguards, who were recognized as

some of the best among their peers.

Fire Capt. Rich Yarborough was named as firefighter of the year; Fire

Capt. John Blauer, who heads the lifeguard division, was awarded marine

safety officer of the year; and Donnie Gray was named seasonal lifeguard

of the year.

The ceremony and beach-themed festivities, which are sponsored by the

Newport Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce, are the chamber and community’s

way of showing their appreciation for the superior service provided by

Newport Beach firefighters and lifeguards, chamber spokesman Doug Stuckey

said.

The chamber started the tradition four years ago because members felt

the need to honor firefighters just as they did the Police Department

with an annual awards ceremony, Stuckey added.

“It’s a way of thanking them for what they do for us,” he said. “And

I’m happy to say the community has jumped on board with us to make this

event a success every year.”

More than 400 people attended the beach party and ceremony, he said.

The awards are both “an honor and a humbling experience,” Blauer said.

“It feels great in many respects,” said Blauer, a 33-year veteran of

the department. “It’s always an honor to be recognized.”