Deanna Pelton has been a trailblazer in the Hagerstown fire service.
Hired in 2006 as the city’s first and only female career firefighter, Pelton will soon join the city Fire Marshal’s Office as its first female deputy fire marshal in department history.
“I feel accomplished,” Pelton said Thursday. “I feel blessed to serve under Chief [Steve] Lohr. He’s a great leader. I can say the same for Doug DeHaven, the lead fire marshal. He’s taught me a lot.
“And I’ve learned a lot from the guys I work with,” she said. “I wouldn’t be able to do this if it weren’t for them. They’ve come alongside me and helped me become the firefighter I am today.”
Her first day in the new role will be July 1. Pelton will earn a salary of $71,407.
Pelton, 35, got her start in the volunteer fire service in 2000 with Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Co.