Deb Will

Nickname(s) Debbie
Title EMT - Board of Director Secretary
Hometown Erie
Year Joined Kuhl Hose 1979
First Year Began In Fire Service 1979
Certifications EMT
Other Department Affiliations  
Previous Positions Held Board of Directors, President, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Lieutenant, Captain
Favorite Firehouse Quote  
Proudest Fire Department Memory My personal accomplishment that meant the most to me was passing the EMT class, as well as performing well in the many firefighting, rescue, and fire prevention classes that I attended.  Memories of my first firefighting class (45 hour basic) are burned into my brain.  Both of the instructors Pat Scully & Poke Watney (spelling??) truly wanted to see what I would and could do, very often making me the first to try a new skill. I loved every minute of the training, and yes I did climb Lawrence Park’s ladder truck straight up in the dark.
Fondest Memory of Kuhl Hose I love to tell the stories of daytime structure fires.  I was qualified to drive Engine #9, and often took off by myself, after calling for mutual aid and praying that other KHC members would meet me at the scene.  The look on the poor homeowner’s faces, they called for the fire department, not a relatively small and young girl but at least I brought the engine.  And…we had some good saves.  Don Sr. was the driver on one call; the entire interior firefighting crew was women from KHC and Belle Valley. It was a great stop. We were featured on the news, and that made Joe Petrone Sr. pretty jealous and mad too.  We didn’t do anything different than the men would have, but we were still a phenomenon. We did so much improvising, especially during the daytime.  Going to grass fires with a squad full of Indian tanks, shovels, brooms, and junior firefighters.  Recruiting help from bystanders to set up portable tanks and help with rural water supply. Using Don Sr.’s Penndot crew to direct traffic and carry equipment.  Not every department had slow/stop signs at their scenes.
Occupation Owner - Afton's Landscape Supply
Family Husband Chuck, Sons Joe & Jim