Hollywood

Woman on Fire

Diana DeAbreu named Hollywood’s premier firefighter

By Jonathan Del Marcus

Fighting fires and providing emergency medical rescue services are physically and mentally stressful jobs that require mastery of a demanding and challenging set of skills.

But Diana DeAbreu, Hollywood’s 2007 Firefighter of the Year, credits her people skills, positive attitude and compassion for her success. 

“I try to treat people with respect no matter what they call the department for, and I always try to talk them,” DeAbreu said. “You give them compassion and respect and try to help them the best way that you can. And a lot of people look up to firefighters, so you always want to be that positive person.”

The Hollywood City Commission recognized DeAbreu’s accomplishments on Feb. 20 and presented her an award as the city’s top firefighter.

DeAbreu, 37, a Miami native who attended Miami Sunset Senior High School, has spent all 12 ½ years of her career in Hollywood. She began as a firefighter/emergency medical technician in September 1995, later advanced to a firefighter/paramedic and was promoted 2 ½ years ago to the position of driver/engineer. Currently, she adjusts standard water pressures on the fire truck and operates all of its permanent equipment, including the water supply, and handheld and power tools. 

Still, it hasn’t been easy.

Being both a firefighter and a single mother of one son, 18-year-old Nikko, has presented special challenges, particularly when 24-hour shifts require her to sleep at the station.

“I thank God for my mom and dad,” she said, adding that her parents often pitched in to take care of Nikko while she worked.

Now, he, too, plans to become a firefighter.

DeAbreu, who has served as an adviser with the department’s explorer program for young adults considering a career in firefighting, also credits many of her colleagues with helping her along the way.

“I’ve seen Diana progress in many ways,” said Dan Pritchard, a firefighter-paramedic who has worked with DeAbreu for the last 12 years. “She is a very likable person. She has made a huge impact in the community and is a good role model who leads by example. She is a total leader around this place in every aspect.”

When presenting her award, the commission commended DeAbreu for showing exceptional care last year during an emergency call to an unconscious elderly man, whom she thoroughly cleaned of his own bodily waste.

To DeAbreu, it was just part of doing her job.

“I didn’t even think twice about it. It could be your grandfather or my grandfather,” she said. “I just thought it was the right thing to do.”