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Meet The Volunteer: Kay Nealis
Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire And Rescue
Jeff Powell

Photo of Kay Nealis This month we introduce Kay Nealis. Kay might seem like an unlikely member of your local fire department, but she's important to us, and a great example of how volunteering works. She's owned and operated a popular delicatessen in Menlo Park for 30 years, and lived on the hill for 22. Several years ago she decided to get an EMT certificate, just to be ready to help those around her. Then she told Jaci Viskochil she had it, and the rest is history. There is some family history around fire and medical careers for Kay - her father was a doctor and one grandfather was a firefighter - so she comes by these interests naturally.

In addition to all of that, Kay is president of our department. It's an official title that mostly means she tries to keep the rest of us in line at meetings; a thankless and difficult task. But her smiling personality and ready wit make her good at the job.

When she's not at work - with us or at her deli - she travels extensively, and is an avid poker player. But she's also completely at home snuggled up on the couch, reading a good book.

When you meet Kay, you're getting to know someone special.