 Deena Lee Named Fire Battalion Chief in El Segundo
Appointment Marks First Female Battalion Chief in the South Bay
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Deena Lee was officially appointed battalion chief for the El Segundo Fire Department today. The appointment was marked with an afternoon badge pinning ceremony in El Segundo City Council chambers and Battalion Chief Lee will be honored and officially welcomed by El Segundo Mayor Drew Boyles and the El Segundo City Council at the evening's city council meeting. Lee is the first female fire battalion chief to be appointed in South Bay region.
“Deena competed in a rigorous promotional exam where she finished first on the list. Her leadership skills, technical expertise and experience made her the perfect candidate for this position. Her dedication to fire service is unparalleled and I look forward to having her on the management team,” shared El Segundo Fire Chief Chris Donovan.
Lee will be assigned to the B shift and will lead training, health and safety efforts for the department.
“El Segundo is home to many accomplished female executives in the public and private sectors; Deena is joining this esteemed list of professionals. She is a hard-working, dedicated firefighter that has earned our support and respect, as well as, this critical position in our community,” noted Mayor Drew Boyles.
“As a long-time resident of El Segundo, as well as, current city manager, I am very proud of her accomplishment. Deena is a first-rate employee and is well-deserving of this promotion. She will be the first female battalion chief in the South Bay and Deena is an outstanding role model for young women looking at public safety as a career,” said El Segundo City Manager Greg Carpenter.
Lee, a 16-year veteran, joined the El Segundo Fire Department in 2003 as a firefighter and was promoted to fire captain in 2007. Lee’s staff assignments have included, safety equipment officer and platoon training officer, among many others. Lee was one of the original members of the department’s Rapid Extraction Modular Support (REMS) team, a specialized unit deployed to major incidents to provide support for firefighters who become ill or injured in remote locations. Her technical rescue skills played a major role in the success of that team.
“As a battalion chief, I look forward to deeper engagement with the El Segundo community. I am honored to be the first female battalion chief in El Segundo and the South Bay. I attribute my success to being driven, courageous, hard-working, and dedicated to helping people,” said Lee.
Lee volunteers with the Women’s Fire Alliance and Girls’ Fire Camps, an organization for young women aged 14-19. She is currently mentoring a high school student now interning with the El Segundo Fire Department. Lee always makes time for station visits with young women who are interested in a career in the fire service and will continue her mentorship to future firefighters.
About El Segundo:
El Segundo is a coastline community in the south bay region of Los Angeles County. Recognized as the aerospace capital of the world, it is renowned for maintaining a quaint, small town atmosphere as well as a thriving business environment that caters to some of the world’s most prestigious corporations. El Segundo is home to the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Air Force Base and the award-winning Los Angeles Times.
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