COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT'S VOICE SAYS GOODBYE.

Byline: Andrea Cavanaugh Staff Writer

THOUSAND OAKS - The Disaster Queen is hanging up her crown.

Sandi Wells, who has appeared before millions of TV viewers as the spokeswoman for the Ventura County Fire Department during such high-profile incidents as the Alaska Air Crash, has retired.

Wells, 54, said she retired this fall to spend more time with her family and because the stress of working in a high-pressure, male-dominated profession was aggravating two autoimmune conditions she has been diagnosed with - lupus and fibromyalgia.

``I've spent so much time on the job,'' she said. ``It's been 24/7. Now it's time to spend time with my family.''

Wells, who served as the Fire Department's public information officer (PIO) for 14 years, also was a Ventura County sheriff's deputy from 1970 to 1980.

She began her career in law enforcement at a time when female deputies wrestled with suspects while wearing skirts and high heels and were issued purses with a holster sewn inside.

The dress code finally changed after Wells scrambled over a fence in pursuit of a suspect and landed in a Dumpster, she said.

``She was an unqualified success in a male-dominated profession,'' said her husband, Arve Wells, 57, a sheriff's captain assigned to the aviation unit. ``She paved the way for other women behind her.''

During a luncheon held in her honor Monday, fire and law enforcement agencies feted Wells for her finesse and speed in getting information to the public during trying times.

``Sandi is the gold standard of the information officer world,'' said Steve Vittum, a deputy chief with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

``The information will still go out, but it won't go out with the same class, the same style.''

Joe Luna, the department's interim spokesman who served under Wells before her retirement, praised her for her unwavering support.

``She's been a teacher, a mentor, a confidante, and a friend,'' he said. ``She's been with me in good times and bad.''

Ventura County Fire Chief Bob Roper said that although Wells' most visible role was in front of the camera, she did much more for the department.

She coordinated animal evacuations during fires and other disasters, comforted victims, advised residents about new developments and organized field trips to burn areas, Roper said.

She also developed stress debriefing programs for emergency responders, trained others to work with the media, and helped write national standards for fire information officers.

``Sandi was so much more than just a spokesperson,'' Roper said. ``She did so much more behind the scenes.''

Now Wells plans to spend time with her husband, their two sons and two grandsons.

As well as spending more time with her family, Wells, who holds a teaching credential, might return to school to pursue a master's degree in education.

She also plans to pursue her interests in wildlife and studio photography. And she has started cooking again.

As she looks back on her career with the Fire Department, Wells said she values her encounters with residents the most.

``This gave me so many opportunities to be out in the community,'' she said. ``I was able to interact with fire victims - not just deal with them, but reach out and have a relationship with them.''

Andrea Cavanaugh, [phone]

andrea.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Sandi Wells, a 14-year veteran of the Ventura County Fire Department and public information officer, seen here with mixed shepherd Shelby at Wildwood Park, has retired.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News