Newport Fire Department Welcomes New Chief
NEWPORT, RI — Newport Fire Department has a new man at the helm. Humphrey "Harp" Donnelly IV was named the new fire chief, the city announced Thursday.
Donnelly is a native Newporter and 23-year veteran of the department. He succeeds Brian Dugan, who retired in December after serving as chief for five years.
"Harp has been an integral piece of the Newport Fire Department and has served the City well," City Manager Joseph J. Nicholson, Jr. said. "He has been pivotal in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic and a valued member of the department’s leadership team."
During his time as deputy chief, Donnelly has helped the response to several city emergencies, including the 2019 gas outage and the COVID-19 pandemic. He has served as acting chief since Dugan's retirement last month.
"I am very fortunate to have been born into a family with a strong history of public service to the City of Newport," Harp said. "Next to be being born into my family, being hired to work for the City of Newport's Fire Department is one of most significant positive events in my life.
"Our City's Fire Department is comprised of many extremely talented and well trained members with a proud history of serving our community. I have had the honor of serving the City of Newport as a member of its Fire Department for over 23 years. I am humbled by this opportunity to help lead the department and help work to meet the current and future emergency needs of our community. I start this next chapter of my career with combined sense of pride, confidence, and gratitude."
This article originally appeared on the Newport Patch
