October 28, 2025

First Female LACOFD PIO and 2025 Fire Prevention Perpetual Award of Excellence Winner

Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn honored two extraordinary members of the LA County Fire Department during this morning’s meeting of the Board of Supervisors, Captain Sheila Kelliher-Berkoh and Fire Fighter Specialist John Pfau.

“We have the best Fire Department in the world, and these two members exemplify that excellence. We are indebted to them for their service to our communities, and today we have a chance to say thank you,” said Hahn.

Hahn honored Captain Sheila Kelliher-Berkoh, who is retiring from the department, for her long career with the fire department. Kelliher-Berkoh was the department’s 15th female firefighter upon joining in 2000, and served as its first female Public Information Officer. In February, Kelliher was among dozens of firefighters honored with a standing ovation at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, and announced Beyoncé as the winner of Grammy for Album of the Year for “Cowboy Carter.”

“Captain Kelliher has brought extraordinary poise and steadiness to our LA County Fire Department. She is a role model not only for other women in the Department, but to many in the communities she serves,” said Hahn.

“It is not lost on me that I’m standing here today being recognized by a board made up of all women,” said Kelliher during this morning’s ceremony, thanking Hahn and her colleagues for the recognition. “As I step into retirement, I must say you can take the girl out of the firehouse, but you can’t take the firehouse out of the girl.”

Hahn also presented Fire Fighter Specialist John Pfau with the Fire Prevention Perpetual Award of Excellence for his work in the Santa Clarita Fire Prevention Office, conducting hundreds of field inspections of construction sites and large-scale events every year – including Six Flags Magic Mountain Fright Fest.

“Fire Fighter Specialist Pfau’s dedication to training, policy development, interagency coordination, and mission leadership reflect the values of our Fire Department at the highest level, and we are so grateful that he is a member of our LA County Family,” said Hahn.

“I don’t take this lightly, I know how many great individuals have stood here before and it is such an honor to be standing in front of you all of you. One thing I want to mention is this wasn’t done alone,” said Pfau, thanking his colleagues and Department leadership. “Thank you for giving us the opportunity to effectively do our job to do it safely and do it with compassion and empathy.”

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Footage of this morning’s presentations