Gina Copas
Oakville,WA
Summary
Dynamic administrative professional with extensive experience, excelling in strategic planning and community outreach. Proven track record in crisis communication and staff recruitment, enhancing public trust and engagement. Skilled in emergency medical treatment and leadership development, driving successful initiatives that foster community safety and preparedness.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Administrative Assistant / Public Information Officer / Public Education & Recruitment Lead
Chehalis Fire Department
Chehalis, WA
06.2023 - 06.2025
- Serve as the primary administrative advisor to the Fire Chief, managing executive scheduling, internal communications, confidential personnel matters, and departmental operations with precision and discretion.
- Designated Public Information Officer (PIO): lead crisis communication, develop strategic messaging, craft press releases, and oversee social media presence—strengthening public trust and engagement.
- Develop and implement citywide public education initiatives for schools and community events, focusing on fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and safety advocacy.
- Spearhead recruitment and retention campaigns for both career and volunteer staff; coordinate hiring processes, design outreach materials, and champion firefighter wellness, and peer support programs.
- Contribute to successful grant applications, budget planning, and administrative strategies aligned with department goals and city compliance.
- Organize and promote fire station tours, open houses, and large-scale public events, ensuring seamless community relations, and positive media coverage.
- Produce all in-house media: capture, edit, and deliver promotional and operational videos and photography—including drone footage—as a licensed drone pilot and official department videographer.
- Certified Child Car Seat Inspector and trained peer counselor, providing specialized support to both the public and internal team members.
Volunteer Firefighter / Paramedic
Grays Harbor Fire, District
02.2017 - 09.2020
- Assist Chief in filing, organization and maintenance of Employee records
- Designed new ways for retention and recruitment for station #2
- 100% preparedness in maintenance, readiness and operations of rescue rigs and apparatus
Combat Medic (68W)
US Army Reserve
01.2008 - 11.2012
- Promoted from E3 to E4 July 2010
- Completed patient care reports and checklists of daily duties per established military practices, guidelines and regulations.
- Volunteer instructor for EMT refresher courses and recertification for active duty personnel
Lab Instructor/Paramedic Educator
Ft. Lewis MSTC
Ft Lewis , WA
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Developed lesson plans that aligned with curriculum standards and learning objectives.
- Assisted with training trauma classes, with an emphasis on IV prep and usage, and airway management.
- Taught patients extrication from vehicles and confined spaces in combat casualty situations.
Paramedic
MetroWest Ambulance Paramedic
04.2003 - 05.2009
- Worked as ALS 911 ambulance and promoted to overseeing special security events
- Completed additional training as a swift water rescue technician
- Developed rapport with coworkers and hospital staff to facilitate patient care
Education
Pre Nursing -
Centralia College
Centralia, WAAA Degree - Paramedic
OHSU Paramedic School, OHSU and Portland VA
Tigard, ORAssociate of Science - Emergency Medical Tech, Law Enforcement
Portland Community College
Diploma -
Aloha High School
Skills
- Clerical support
- Microsoft Word
- Payroll and budgeting
- Document preparation
- Computer proficiency
- Administrative operations
- Recordkeeping and bookkeeping
- Leadership development
- Strategic planning
- Life support services
- Incident safety
- Mass casualty events
- Emergency communications
- Report preparation
- Emergency medical treatment
- Community relations
- Public relations
- Staff recruitment
- Community outreach
Languages
Korean Native or Bilingual
Certification
- National Paramedic Certification
- CPR Certification
- ACLS Certification
- PALS Certification
- PHTLS Certification
- Drone pilot 107 Certification
- Wildland Red card Certified
- Child Carseat certified
- HazMat Awareness Certification
- HazMat Ops Certification
Timeline
Administrative Assistant / Public Information Officer / Public Education & Recruitment Lead
Chehalis Fire Department
06.2023 - 06.2025
Volunteer Firefighter / Paramedic
Grays Harbor Fire, District
02.2017 - 09.2020
Lab Instructor/Paramedic Educator
Ft. Lewis MSTC
01.2010 - 01.2011
Combat Medic (68W)
US Army Reserve
01.2008 - 11.2012
Paramedic
MetroWest Ambulance Paramedic
04.2003 - 05.2009
Pre Nursing -
Centralia College
AA Degree - Paramedic
OHSU Paramedic School, OHSU and Portland VA
Associate of Science - Emergency Medical Tech, Law Enforcement
Portland Community College
Diploma -
Aloha High School
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