Sunset Harbor & Zion Hill VFD names engine after 90-year-old founding member

  • Source: WECT-TV NBC 6 Wilmington
  • Published: 11/17/2021 12:00 AM

When you think of a firefighter, a 90-year-old woman usually doesn’t come to mind — just don’t tell that to Mabell DeShields.“[I was] out there pulling the hose just like the men, working the fire and putting out fire and all that,” said Mabell DeShields.Since 1979, she’s done just about everything at the Zion Hill/Sunset Harbor Volunteer Fire Department — from fundraising to driving the engine. It’s a unique experience as only about one percent of firefighters were women in the 80s.“Mabell’s a founding member of the department,” said Fire Chief Rob Johnson. “A joyful person. She’s a blessing to be around. You talk about Mabell anywhere, everybody loves Mabell.” Now, when she’s not helping out at the fire station, she spends much of her time at Brunswick Senior Resources inspiring others with her stories.



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