KPCC News In Brief

LA County Fire installs first black second-in-command

In a year in which two major-party presidential contenders were a woman and an African-American, L.A. County’s fire department has shown a similar trend in promotions to its highest ranks. Details from KPCC’s Cheryl Devall.

Cheryl Devall: Los Angeles County Fire has installed its first black second-in-command. Daryl Osby, a 24-year veteran of the department, is the new chief deputy for emergency operations. Before his promotion, he supervised 76 fire stations in eastern L.A. County.

Osby told reporters that he felt blessed to have achieved a new milestone in his career. He added, “That’s not to take away from the fact that I’ve worked my tail off.” Last month, L.A. County Fire promoted Helen Jo to run the financial management division. She’s the department’s first woman and its first Asian-American to earn the rank of deputy chief.

The county’s diversity record stands in contrast to the city of L.A.’s fire department. During the last year and a half, under its first African-American chief, the city department has tried to overcome a series of incidents, audits, and lawsuits that indicated a pattern of discrimination and harassment against female and black firefighters.

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• August 20, 2008 3:09 PM
• Categories: Criminal Justice, Environment, Society/Culture