The Huntington Beach Fire Department on Wednesday named its first female captain of the Marine Safety Division.
Leslie Schwene’s promotion comes five days after the Los Angeles Fire Department swore in its first female chief, and the announcement included the city of Huntington Beach acknowledging that “the HBFD and the fire profession in general remained largely a male-dominated profession”.
“In recent years, HBFD has prioritized hiring diverse and qualified candidates, which has resulted in an increase in female staff in the department and the promotion of women to leadership positions within HBFD,” according to the city statement.
The HBFD and its maritime security division have about 400 employees combined, including full-time and part-time workers, but a specific breakdown of its gender ratio was not immediately available, the business manager said. city public, Jennifer Carey, at City News Service. .
“I am proud of the efforts our city’s fire department has made to add more women and diversity to the first responder workforce,” Huntington Beach Mayor Barbara Delgleize said in a statement.
“It’s so important that we show our young people that regardless of their background or gender, you have the opportunity to achieve the career you want.”
Schwene, 29, is a 12-year fire department veteran who began his career as a lifeguard. She will now oversee about 20 ocean lifeguards, help manage the department’s community risk reduction program, oversee maritime safety community outreach and support employee training and development, according to the city.
During her career, she has accumulated numerous accolades, including the HBFD Marine Safety Commendation for Surfers’ Awareness in Lifesaving Techniques in 2017 and the HBFD Marine Safety Employee of the Year Award in 2019.
In 2020, Schwene was assigned to the Emergency Operations Center for the COVID-19 response, and last year was assigned to the EOC as planning chief for the city’s response to the oil spill that occurred off the coast of Huntington Beach.
“Leslie has done a phenomenal job since joining the service in 2010,” Fire Chief Scott Haberle said. “Her positive attitude, adaptability, intelligence and ability to maintain composure in any situation have made her a valuable part of our city’s fire department. I hope Leslie is the first of many female Marine Safety Captains that we see in HBFD.
Schwene holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from USC and a master’s degree in emergency and disaster management from Georgetown University.
HBFD’s Marine Safety Division provides public safety for the city’s Main Beach and Sunset Beach.
