Actress and talk show host Drew Barrymore welcomed the Long Beach Fire Department to the “Drew Barrymore Show” last month. Barrymore recognized the entire department, highlighting firefighter Catherine Lewis.
Lewis, who is known as Cat to her fellow firefighters, was sworn in as the first paid female firefighter in the department’s 111-year history in March, which Barrymore noted.
“It was a really cool experience,” Lewis said of appearing on the show. “It was really nice to have all of us recognized, not just myself.”
The segment also featured other Long Beach firefighters speaking about Lewis. Sam Pinto, who is also a paramedic and school board trustee, said that having Lewis in the department makes it more like a family, and that she helps move the department forward.
“The fire service isn’t just a brotherhood now,” Pinto said. “It’s more like a brotherhood and sisterhood now.”