Honorees

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Year Honored
2010
Honoree
Debra A. Cole
Agency
South Portland Fire Department
Agency City
South Portland
Agency State
ME
Last Call
6/11/09
Cause of Death
Other Medical
Biography
Chief Guimond said that everyone who knew Captain Debra Cole knew her to be one of the most dedicated paramedic - firefighters, one of the very best. "Debra strikes me as one of the toughest employees I've ever had. She was all business and was very good at what she did. The biggest compliment you can give a firefighter or paramedic is that you want her treating your family."<br /> <br /> Debra loved animals; her love for horses was uncanny and her friends called her the "horse whisper." When first meeting Debra, you would never expect that she had a side that would melt at the sight of an animal, but she did. She absolutely loved animals and spent many hours training them. She also had a passion for NASCAR and camping, and called both her "great escapes."<br /> <br /> Debra Ann Cole, 40, of Lyman, Maine, died in the line of duty on June 11, 2009. Paramedic Cole had attended a call at 2:30 a.m. The crew returned to fire department and went back to sleep when around 6:00 a.m. unusual noises were heard and upon checking crew members found Debra unconscious. She was taken to Maine Medical Center where it was determined that she had suffered a stroke and died.<br /> <br /> Cole was a seven-year employee of South Portland Fire - Rescue Department, in South Portland, Maine. She also was a 12-year member of Goodwin Mills Fire - Rescue Department, serving as captain. She worked part-time with Arundel, Westbrook and Buxton Fire - Rescue Department. She was the owner and operator of the Wish 4 Time Pet Care Center in Lyman, Maine.<br /> <br /> Honored 2010