Garden Grove : Covey 1st Woman to Get Top Firefighter Award

The first woman to be named the county’s Firefighter of the Year has been honored for her efforts to educate the public about fire safety.

Ellen Covey, a fire safety education specialist with Garden Grove, was chosen from 19 candidates by the Orange County Fire Chief’s Assn. and the Orange County Firemen’s Assn., which jointly sponsor the annual award.

Since 1985, Covey has presented 350 fire safety programs annually to more than 25,000 people for the Garden Grove Fire Department, where she has worked for almost 10 years.

Garden Grove Fire Chief Lon Cahill said Covey earned the award through her efforts and skills.

“She’s reached literally thousands of residents and citizens with a safety message, and education is critically important,” Cahill said. “It’s quite an honor.”