The Weekly Newspaper of El Segundo
Herald Publications - El Segundo, Hawthorne, Lawndale & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 108, No. 22 - May 30, 2019
Inside
This Issue
Certified & Licensed
Professionals.....................11
Classifieds..........................10
Community Briefs...............2
Crossword/Sudoku...........10
Legals....................................9
Letters...................................2
Obituaries.............................2
Real Estate.......................5-8
School Spotlight..................4
El Segundo’s Finest Honored at
South Bay Medal of Valor Event
Four El Segundo police officers and one firefighter were among the notable brave public safety personnel recognized at this year’s 45th Annual South Bay Medal of Valor Luncheon. From left, Police Officer
Tony de la Rambelje, Police Officer Armando Rodriguez, Firefighter Matthew Goodenough, Police Officer Luke Muir and Police Officer Rey Lopez. Photo: Gregg McMullin
Sports.............................. 4,11 ESFD’s Deena Lee Becomes South
Weekend
Forecast
Bay’s First Female Battalion Chief
By Brian Simon
“Her dedication to fire service is unparalleled
The City of El Segundo has made history
and I look forward to having her on the
again with a landmark hire. With the recent
management team.” Assigned to the B shift,
appointment of 16-year veteran Deena Lee
Lee will lead training, health and safety
as battalion chief for the El Segundo Fire
efforts for the department.
Department, it marks the first time any female
While Lee’s impressive resume and breadth
has ascended to that particular position in the
of experience brought her to this point in her
South Bay. Lee’s badge-pinning ceremony
career, the Long Beach native didn’t start
took place last Tuesday afternoon, followed
off thinking she wanted to be a firefighter.
by recognition at that evening’s City Council
As Donovan recounted during last week’s
meeting. “I am proud to be the first female
ceremony, she did knew early on that she
battalion chief in the South Bay,” Lee said.
wanted a job of service and to help people.
“I know there is a lot of responsibility
“But back then, it was in the area of food
that comes with that designation, but I am
service,” he noted.
confident that I will do a good job and be
Lee, who has spent her entire life in
a positive role model.”
Southern California, worked in the restaurant
Lee described the badge-pinning ceremony
industry for a decade with initially no thought
celebrating her promotion as the most
of putting out fires unless something started
memorable and meaningful experience of her
to burn in the kitchen. But thanks to the
career. “I am grateful for the recognition of
suggestion of a co-worker, she decided to
my hard work, dedication and commitment to
enroll in an EMT class. That class spurred
being the best firefighter I can be,” she said.
her desire to learn and also challenged her
“As I looked out over the packed house in
competitive instincts. She passed it easily,
the Council Chambers, I was overwhelmed
at the same time solidifying her interest in
with all of the love and support from friends,
the medical realm as another (and perhaps
family, fellow firefighters and fellow City
more meaningful) way of serving people.
employees.”
The EMT class led Lee to the emergency
In rising to the rank of battalion chief, Lee
room of Long Beach Memorial Hospital where
competed in a rigorous promotional exam,
she began her new career as a technician
finishing first on the list. “Her leadership
helping move patients around and performing
skills, technical expertise and experience made
CPR, among other arduous activities. “Deena
her the perfect candidate for this position,”
told me she would often perform CPR for
El Segundo Fire Chief Chris Donovan said.
over 20 minutes, earning her the nickname
ZENA,” Donovan said. “It was during this
time that members of the Long Beach Fire
Department caught wind of her capabilities
and invited her to do a ride-along.”
Even by then, Lee still didn’t picture
herself as a firefighter – figuring that such
opportunities were not there for women. “It
was the Long Beach firefighters who told
her that she would be a perfect fit and after
a ride-along at [Long Beach’s] Fire Station
#2, the hook was set,” Donovan said.
See Deena Lee, page 11
Friday
Partly
Cloudy
63˚/57˚
Saturday
Partly
Cloudy
64˚/56˚
Sunday
Sunny
64˚/57˚
El Segundo Fire Department Battalion Chief Deena Lee. Photo
Courtesy of City of El Segundo