Costa Mesa fire chief named

Costa Mesa officials on Tuesday named Los Angeles County Assistant Fire Chief Mike Morgan to head the city’s fire department, which has been led by interim Fire Chief Steven Parker since August 2006.

Morgan, 51, will start his job in Costa Mesa on July 30. He’s a graduate of Pepperdine University and has been with the L.A. County fire department for 22 years, working as a firefighter paramedic, urban search and rescue instructor and battalion chief over the years. Since 2003, Morgan has been a top officer in a department with 161 stations that serve 3 million people.

Costa Mesa’s fire department has 113 employees.

“I’m just thrilled to have the opportunity,” Morgan said by phone Tuesday. “I have had the opportunity to meet the [Costa Mesa] firefighters, and they display a great deal of pride in their department. My purpose in going there is just to continue that.”

Costa Mesa city officials said they look forward to getting Morgan on board.

“Chief Morgan will bring energy and enthusiasm to the department just when we are considering future projects in need of leadership and an ability to work well with the public, fire staff and council,” Councilwoman Katrina Foley said in an e-mail.