Love, Work Keep Couple Together

Arve and Sandi Wells of Thousand Oaks are married, but they sometimes spend more work time together than private time.

Arve, 53, is a captain with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department’s East County station in Thousand Oaks.

He oversees the investigative bureau.

Sandi, 49, is a public information officer for the Ventura County Fire Department who is often called out to fires to provide information to the media.

When a mudslide toppled houses in La Conchita in March 1995, the couple spent eight days together cleaning the area and freeway of mud and debris.

In 1991, a train traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco derailed, hitting a freeway support at Seacliff.

Arve was the lead officer, and Sandi was the lead information officer.

They spent seven days clearing the freeway of hazardous materials.

“I guess we are really kindred spirits,” Sandi said. “I feel really blessed to find someone who I work with and live with.”

After 25 years of marriage, the couple have perfected the art of handling the unexpected.

They met 26 years ago when both were with the Sheriff’s Department, Sandi was a deputy and in crime prevention.

Sandi left in 1983 to become an elementary school teacher, but she eventually returned to public safety, becoming the public information officer for the Fire Department in 1989.

Arve has been a law enforcement officer for 30 years.

He noted that when their now-grown sons, Ryan and Shannon, were little, getting a baby-sitter was their main concern.

“Many times we don’t like it, but it’s part of the job and we understand that,” Arve said. “It seems like it occurs at the most inopportune time. But it’s part of the responsibilities that we carry.”

Last month, Sandi’s father, two brothers and their families from Palmdale spent the weekend at the couple’s home.

But an hour after they arrived, Sandi received a call.

A fire in the hills near Lake Piru was out of control, and she was needed.

“I’m very fortunate that my family is supportive of what I do,” she said.