BREAKING THROUGH LINES; LAFD TO GET 1ST FEMALE BATTALION CHIEF TODAY.Byline: Patrick McGreevy Roxanne Bercik is set to make history today by becoming the first female battalion chief in the Los Angeles Fire Department The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), also known as the Los Angeles City Fire Department to distinguish it from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. It is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the city of Los Angeles. at a ceremony scheduled to be attended by Mayor Richard Riordan Richard J. Riordan (born May 1, 1930) is a Republican politician from California, U.S. who served as the California Secretary of Education from 2003–2005 and as Mayor of Los Angeles from 1993–2001. Riordan ran for Governor of California unsuccessfully in 2002. and Fire Chief William Bamattre. The Long Beach resident is leaving a position as captain in charge of an engine company in Westwood to become a battalion chief in charge of six fire stations in South Central Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , officials said. Her appointment ``reflects the diversity of the community,'' said Fire Department spokesman Jim Wells. Wells said the battalion chief job is three ranks below chief. Above the rank of battalion chief are several deputy chiefs and five assistant chiefs. Bercik's achievement is being hailed as a breakthrough for a department that has been criticized for mistreatment mis·treat tr.v. mis·treat·ed, mis·treat·ing, mis·treats To treat roughly or wrongly. See Synonyms at abuse. mis·treat of its female firefighters. ``They needed to get some women at the top,'' said Penny Harrington, who has monitored the LAFD LAFD Los Angeles Fire Department LAFD Los Alamos Fire Department LAFD London Association of Funeral Directors (UK) on behalf of the Fund for the Feminist Majority. ``It is always significant when a woman reaches a level where women have never been before,'' Harrington added. ``It encourages others to follow her lead.'' Bercik could not be reached for comment Monday. |
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