Veteran Firefighter Honored for 40 Years of Service

Orange resident Robert De Feo, assistant chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department, was honored Tuesday as the 1999 Firefighter of the Year for his 40 years of outstanding service.

The 63-year-old firefighter received the award from the Los Angeles City Firefighter’s Assn. during a luncheon at the Los Angeles Hotel Intercontinental in his honor.

De Feo, a Rhode Island native and Marine Corps veteran, was selected by his peers and honored for his years of service, professional knowledge and performance.

Daryl Arbuthnott, a battalion chief community liaison officer, said De Feo is well-respected among his colleagues.

“He’s a very dedicated man,” Arbuthnott said.

“He’s given many years for the better of the citizens, and I’m not saying it as a cliche of a firefighter. He just goes out of his way to make things happen.”

During his decades of service, De Feo has held several positions, including department recruit training officer, battalion chief for the supply and maintenance division and as an in-service training commander.

Currently, he is the assistant chief responsible for one-third of the Fire Department, which includes Brentwood and Hollywood.

De Feo also teaches the tactics for fighting high-rise fires around the country.

De Feo, who was unavailable for comment at press time, is married and has a son, William, who also works for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Marissa Espino can be reached at (714) 966-5879.