The Los Angeles County Fire Department will promote its first female chief deputy Wednesday, appointing her to a management position.
Fire Chief Daryl Osby was tasked with presiding over the ceremony, which will include a number of promotions, among them the official appointment of Dawnna Lawrence to the position of chief deputy in charge of the fire department’s business operations, said fire Capt. Keith Mora.
“Her knowledge and experience stem from a 20-year career with Los Angeles County as part of the fire department, the Department of Public Works, and the Department of Health Services,” Mora said.
Lawrence, who has a bachelors degree in Business Administration from Cal State Fullerton, joined the Los Angeles County Fire Department in October 2012 as Deputy Chief over the Administrative Services Bureau, which consists of three divisions — Financial Management, Human Resources, and Materials Management.
Lawrence is a civilian, and the rank of chief deputy is directly below that of fire chief, Mora said. It is also subordinate to the deputy chief position that she’s been holding.
David R. Richardson, a sworn firefighter, is currently the acting chief deputy of the department’s emergency operations.
“On a personal note, Chief Lawrence has always wanted to experience the feeling of saving someone’s life. While she may not be on the front lines, she believes her role in the Los Angeles County Fire Department is as close and good as it gets,” said a fire department biographical sketch on Lawrence.
Wednesday’s ceremony was being held at the Hacienda Heights Community Center.
—City News Service