On Monday, May 16, 2022, the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s (LACoFD) first female fire captain to manage the Public Information Office (PIO) assumed her new role. Captain Sheila Kelliher took over the PIO role after the recent promotion of Battalion Chief Ron Haralson.
“It is a great honor to be named the LACoFD’s first female PIO Captain,” said Captain Kelliher. “I am looking forward to keeping the Department’s PIO on the cutting edge of technology. With information at our fingertips, my goal is to make sure we keep the citizens of Los Angeles County accurately informed.”
Captain Kelliher earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech communications prior to graduating from the LACoFD’s Recruit Academy, Class 102, in 2000. She spent the next two decades promoting her way up the ranks from firefighter to paramedic and eventually to fire captain. Her most recent assignment was with Fire Station 125 in the City of Calabasas.
Committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive workforce, Captain Kelliher has been actively involved in several initiatives through the Department’s Community Outreach, Recruitment, Diversity, and Inclusion (CORDI) Section where she has volunteered her time and talent to assist with the Explorer Program, the Girls’ Fire Camp, and Women’s Fire Prep Academy to recruit and mentor youth from underserved communities as they pursue careers in the fire service. Captain Kelliher is also a founding member and board member of the Women’s Fire League.
“As the first woman to hold this office, I think representation is important,” emphasized Captain Kelliher. “It is important that young girls see themselves as strong leaders in their communities.”
When Captain Kelliher is not on the job, she is a devoted wife and mother to 11-year-old twins (daughter, Marley, and son, Maximus). With five gold medals won in previous World Police & Fire Games events, she is also a competitive athlete who enjoys playing golf, bodybuilding, and weight training.
