LBFD’s First Career Female Firefighter Appears On Drew Barrymore

LONG BEACH, NY — The Long Beach Fire Department’s first female full-time firefighter appeared on the "Drew Barrymore Show" that also featured a segment on a makeover of LBFD headquarters.

Barrymore talked with Catherine “Cat” Lewis, who was sworn in as the 111-year-old department’s first paid woman firefighter in March 2021, on her show Monday.

“I’ve always wanted to be a firefighter,” Lewis told Barrymore. “Growing up, I didn’t know many female firefighters. So, I view it as a privilege right now to be a role model for young girls and young kids.”

The segment featured several LBFD firefighters commenting on Lewis forging new paths at the department, including Sam Pinto, who is also a paramedic.

“The fire service is not just a brotherhood now; it’s more like a brotherhood and sisterhood,” Pinto said. “It’s a family.”

The show segued to the “Designed by Drew” segment, in which Barrymore collaborated with the show’s interior designer Mikel Welch to draw the plans to re-decorate the den in fire headquarters at City Hall.

“We really wanted you guys to have an awesome recreational space where you could just chill and relax,” Welch told the firefighters when unveiling the new digs.

The refurbished den features new Camille dining chairs, Roman shades, and a coffee bar with an air fryer and toaster.

“It’s better than I think we could have wished for,” Lewis told Welch. “And I know I speak on behalf of the entire team when I say we are very thankful and appreciative, and we couldn’t be happier.”