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On Friday November 14, 2008 El Cajon's Public Information Officer Monica Zech was one of six women honored by the East County Chamber of Commerce at the 6th Annual Women In Leadership Luncheon held at the Doubletree Hotel in Mission Valley.
Congratulations to Monica Zech for being recognized for her work in the category of "Media" for her outstanding work as the City of El Cajon's Public Information Officer, especially during the 2007 October wildfires. She is also being recognized for over 24 years of work in safety education, delivered on TV and radio, and through lectures at schools, for local groups, and at company and military safety stand-downs.
Luncheon Description:
This event honors dynamic women nominated from the fields of business, education, government, healthcare, media/art/culture & non-profits. Selected honorees have demonstrated exemplary character & integrity along with outstanding leadership ability. Bonnie Dumanis, the first woman to serve as San Diego County District Attorney, she was the keynote speaker.
Major sponsor for the event is Sharp Grossmont Hospital. Additional sponsors include North Island Credit Union, Viejas Enterprises, Barona Resort & Casino, Sycuan Resort & Casino, San Diego Gas & Electric, Bank of the West-El Cajon, Grossmont Healthcare District, Waste Management & Westfield Parkway.
Earlier this year...
Monica Zech was awarded a Distinguished Service Award By Kiwanis International for her work as the Public Information Officer for the City of El Cajon and for her work in Safety Education for the El Cajon Fire Department. The award was given at a dinner held March 15, 2008. Monica was nominated by the Kiwanis Club of Fletcher Hills. It was noted that in 2007 Monica delivered over 117 safety lectures throughout the County on driving safety, fire safety and disaster preparedness.
Monica Zech and City Councilmember Jillian Hanson-Cox, receiving
"Distinguished Service" awards
It's very evident Monica loves her work as a Safety Educator for both the El Cajon Fire and Police Departments after winning four awards for her work in 2007, they are:
*On April 18th - Grossmont Healthcare 2007 Healthcare Hero Award
*On July 18th - Fire & Life Safety 2007 Educator of Year Award from the San Diego County Fire Chief's Association.
*September 23rd - Lifetime Achievement "Silver Award" in Broadcasting from NATAS - National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
*October 5th - the American Red Cross Real Heroes 2007 Media award. Real Hero 07' - News Release
All these awards recognize Monica's injury prevention education through safety lectures, articles and TV news segments, for not El Cajon, but throughout San Diego County. Zech says it's an honor to be recognized by so many top organizations.
During 2007 Monica delivered over 117 safety lectures throughout the El Cajon and San Diego County community! Obviously "safety" is her passion.
Safety education is all about prevention, speaking not only on behalf of the firefighters she works with, but on behalf of all those injured and killed in preventable incidents - especially traffic collisions, our number one 9-1-1 call. I show my audiences what we see as an emergency agency. To the point - it's all about saving lives!
Monica joined the department in August of 2001, leaving a 30-year career in news broadcasting. During that time she began driver safety education with local schools, companies and military bases. Her dream was to pursue a full time career in safety education...she found that with El Cajon Fire. She soon developed an expanded safety program addressing driving safety, fire safety and disaster preparedness for local schools and groups. Her hard work was recognized this year by four local organizations.
To contact Monica Zech for a safety lecture please call her at (619) 441-1737.
