Pat Kelly
At 70 years old, Pat Kelly has spent 32 years serving her community as a deputy chief/paramedic with 28 of them at Quality Emergency Medical Services in Adams Township. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed.
She was recently recognized as a Hometown Hero by the Rich-Mar Rotary Club.
It's a well-deserved honor for someone who has dedicated so much of her life to helping others. Thomas Kvederis, Rich-Mar Rotary president, was tasked with reviewing the candidates presented by then District Gov., Jack Cohen, president and CEO of the Butler County Tourism & Convenion Bureau.
“Some of the stories were incredible, so it was difficult to focus on just who most deserved the recognition,” Kvederis said. “Pat Kelly had a length of service that was admiral, with a number of life-saving stories.”
Kelly's journey into the field of emergency services was a long path, and began when she moved into Mars. Her neighbor, Dorothy Riesmeyer, was the rescue captain for Mars Volunteer Fire Company.
“I was so impressed with how she cared for the community that I realized I should give something back to the community also,” Kelly said.
She joined the fire department and shortly afterward she went to EMT school, and eventually paramedic school.
Over the years, she has served in multiple positions from volunteer EMT to interim director of both Cranberry EMS and Quality EMS. She has been a crew member and chief of Quality EMS and Paramedic, and recently retired as the service’s deputy chief.
“Each day began with checking the truck and inspecting the equipment in preparation for the shift, then completing the morning chores. The end of the shift didn’t occur until the ambulance was cleaned and stocked for the next crew, with medical transports and responding to an average of 10 emergency calls per day in between,” Kelly said.
When asked about specific memories, Kelly responded “For me, the best memory was delivering a baby for the service. In the past couple of years there have also been several cardiac arrests where we saved the patient.”
Kelly has saved countless lives and comforted people in times of crisis. She has made a significant impact on her community over the years. She credits her husband, Tim; her three children, Erin, Scott and Cliff; her two daughters-in-law; and six grandchildren, for getting her through some of the bad days.
Kelly has shown that there's no age limit to making a positive difference.
“I have always considered my job to be more of ministry. I have felt that being able to help people on their worst days has been a blessing to me and I could not have accomplished the things that I did without my faith in God and his direction,” Kelly said.
In addition, Kelly feels her family, friends, her first EMT teacher, Jeannie Westerman, other mentors, and her partner and friend, Kent Shoemaker, have all made a significant impact on how she has served her community.
“I feel very honored and humbled to be nominated. I know that there are many great and well qualified EMS workers out there,” Kelly said.
