No-confidence vote targets Newport’s fire chief; he’s surprised by move

Newport Beach firefighters are voting on a motion of no confidence in the city’s fire chief.

The Newport Beach Firefighters Assn. opened the voting process to members Wednesday, and a final decision is expected in 10 days, according to a union official.

“For too many reasons, the members ... feel Fire Chief Scott Poster is not effectively managing the Newport Beach Fire Department,” association President Bobby Salerno said. He declined to elaborate.

Poster said he was unaware of the motion before a reporter told him about it Wednesday afternoon.

“They haven’t really discussed any issues with me,” he said.

Though the motion took him by surprise, the chief said he respects the firefighters’ opinion and would be willing to work with them on any concerns.

“We’ll just have to listen to what the issues are and go from there,” Poster said.

Poster was appointed Newport Beach fire chief in 2012 after a 29-year career with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. He joined L.A. County in 1983 and worked his way up the ranks, eventually becoming a deputy chief.

Newport Beach City Manager Dave Kiff said Poster is a “smart and experienced chief” and that he “appointed him for a reason.” Kiff has the sole authority to remove Poster, according to city policy.

“I am sure I will hear more about the labor group’s concerns,” Kiff said. “I am always hopeful that we can resolve things carefully and constructively. I do not take this vote nor the fire chief’s job lightly.”

In December, three senior members of the Fire Department sued the city, alleging age discrimination that they said began when Poster was hired.

The suit alleged that Poster blamed the plaintiffs for “unacceptable” performance after giving them an overwhelming workload that was disproportionate to that of younger employees.

The firefighters involved in the lawsuit are represented by a separate union.

At the time, the city attorney’s office called the claims baseless.