For 25 years, when Fire Chief Jerry Minor needed a place for firefighters and emergency medical service workers to train, one person's name always came to his mind first.
Peter Petersen wasn't a firefighter or a paramedic, but the man who grew up on a farm on Wood County A and State 73 played an important role for the Pittsville Fire Department. If Minor needed a grain bin filled with corn to practice rescues, Petersen would supply it. He supplied anything the fire chief requested to make sure the local first responders were trained on agricultural emergencies.
"Pete was as much a part of this department as any member who has ever been here," Minor said.
Sal Petersen was married to the man for 33 years and said he was all about safety and about serving others, and that's why he always opened his farm for practice drills.