Firefighter Becomes First Female Battalion Chief In Novato

NOVATO, CA – A firefighter has become the first female battalion chief in Novato.

Lori Jessell, who has been acting fire marshal since January 2018, has been promoted to battalion chief-fire marshal. She is the first female battalion chief-fire marshal in the 92-year history of the Novato Fire Protection District.

Jessell began her career in the fire service as a firefighter with Cal Fire in 1994, after earning a degree in fire technology from Sierra College. She was hired by Novato Fire Protection District as a fire inspector in 2002 and promoted to captain-deputy fire marshal in 2013.

Jessell is a member of the California Conference of Arson Investigators and the Northern Californian Fire Prevention Officers, past president of the Marin County Fire Prevention Officers, and current team leader of the Marin County Fire Investigation Team. She is also an instructor at College of Marin's Indian Valley Campus for the emergency medical responder/first responder course, which is the precursor to EMT. She was the coordinator of College of Marin's Fire Technology Program from 2012 to 2017.

Jessell is a certified fire marshal from the California State Fire Marshal's State Fire Training Program and has completed a wide array of certifications over the years, including fire officer, public education officer, plans examiner and fire investigator II. She is also a certified code inspector and has completed four courses at the National Fire Academy in Maryland.

Additionally, Jessell has been involved in several Novato Fire Protection District and Novato Fire Foundation activities, including Fire Squirts Camp, Steven Rucker Memorial Golf Tournament, NFD Open House, and Community CPR Instructor.

She starts her new position Oct. 16.

Photo via Novato Fire Protection District