Kelly Kirschhoffer
Fox Lake,IL
Summary
Accomplished Lieutenant and Firefighter/Paramedic at Newport Township Fire Protection District, adept in operational efficiency and emergency response. Demonstrated leadership in enhancing safety measures and fostering team collaboration. Skilled in firefighting, technical rescue, advanced life support, and critical decision-making, significantly improving property and patient outcomes. Proven track record in organizational development and customer relations, with a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Focused Paramedic well-versed in patient assessment and emergency care. Reliable and efficient with 20 plus years of quality performance in patient encounters. Accustomed to providing critical care in dynamic environments.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lieutenant; Firefighter and Paramedic
Newport Township Fire Protection District
07.1998 - Current
- Improved operational efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing best practices.
- Managed personnel for optimal productivity, ensuring proper training and adherence to protocols.
- Enhanced safety measures through regular inspections and equipment maintenance, reducing incidents.
- Increased team cohesion with regular communication, fostering a positive work environment.
- Established clear expectations for staff members through effective communication and goal setting techniques.
- Evaluated staff performance regularly, providing constructive feedback and opportunities for growth.
- Provided support during critical situations or emergencies when needed while maintaining composure under pressure.
- Contributed to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying areas needing attention or optimization within the department.
- Oversaw budget management, optimizing allocation of funds for necessary expenses and improvements.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Reduced budgetary expenditures by effectively negotiating contracts for more advantageous terms.
- Collaborated with fellow firefighters to execute efficient firefighting strategies, mitigating property damage and loss of life.
- Drove and operated structural pumpers, water tenders, engines, ambulances, and service vehicles to aid in rescue operations.
- Demonstrated strong leadership skills while serving as a mentor to new firefighters, fostering a culture of teamwork and professionalism within the department.
- Maintained optimal readiness for emergency situations by regularly participating in drills and training exercises.
- Improved operational efficiency by helping maintain apparatuses, equipment, and facilities according to established standards.
- Trained new firefighters to comply with safety protocols and equipment usage.
- Documented emergency calls and equipment maintenance to enable tracking history and maintain accurate records.
- Participated in physical fitness and training programs to maintain preparedness and stamina for fire rescues.
- Contributed to positive outcomes during multi-agency responses by effectively collaborating with law enforcement personnel, paramedics, and other emergency service providers.
- Educated the local community on fire safety practices through presentations at schools, businesses, and other public venues.
- Participated in community outreach programs to raise awareness of fire prevention and safety measures.
- Assisted in wildfire suppression efforts by coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies to establish containment lines and protect threatened structures.
- Collaborated with other emergency responders on scene to establish adequate fire suppression.
- Participated in post-incident analyses to identify areas for improvement in departmental policies and procedures.
- Enhanced overall departmental performance by attending professional development courses and conferences, sharing acquired knowledge with colleagues upon return.
- Assisted in the containment of hazardous materials spills, ensuring public safety and environmental protection.
- Maintained meticulous records of incident responses, ensuring accurate documentation for reporting purposes and future reference.
- Strengthened interdepartmental relationships through participation in joint training exercises with neighboring fire departments.
- Enhanced community safety by conducting thorough building inspections and identifying potential fire hazards.
- Operated hoses, pumps, ladders and other firefighting equipment.
- Laid and connected hoses, held nozzles and directed water streams as part of fire suppression activities at active scenes.
- Prepared incident reports detailing personnel, location and results of each call.
- Conducted thorough tests and inspections of gear, equipment and tools to stay ready for every type of fire.
- Provided station tours, pre-incident surveys and installed smoke detectors to provide fire education to public.
- Conducted fire drills and trained new recruits in use of firefighting equipment.
- Delivered advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), basic life support (BLS), and pediatric advanced life support (PALS) under pressure.
- Delivered compassionate care to patients with a variety of medical emergencies, including cardiac arrests, traumas, strokes, and respiratory distress.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing timely and accurate assessments, treatments, and interventions.
- Documented patient care accurately using electronic medical records software according to regulatory guidelines for billing purposes and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
- Assessed patient condition through physical and verbal exams and by collecting information from others at scene.
- Adapted treatment plans quickly and effectively based on changing patient conditions and reactions.
- Ensured patient safety by adhering to strict protocols for proper lifting techniques, equipment use, and infection control.
- Identified appropriate medications based on potential interactions with other medicines, accurately calculating correct dosages according to drugs on hand and patient's weight.
- Triaged injuries by communicating with patients, bystanders and family members and identified appropriate medical facility for transport.
- Streamlined patient handoff processes at hospitals by clearly communicating relevant information to receiving staff, ensuring seamless continuity of care.
- Assisted in training new paramedics by serving as a preceptor and sharing clinical expertise during ride-alongs.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities such as conferences or workshops to stay current on best practices in pre-hospital emergency medicine.
- Increased survival rates with rapid recognition of life-threatening conditions and swift initiation of appropriate interventions.
- Administered fluid replacement via IV, IO, and IM to replace fluid volumes and correct electrolyte imbalances.
- Administered continuous 12-lead electrocardiogram monitoring to record heart rhythms in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
- Promoted health equity within the community by offering culturally sensitive care to diverse populations while respecting individual preferences or needs.
- Managed challenging or combative patients using de-escalation techniques and appropriate physical restraints when necessary, prioritizing safety for both the patient and medical team.
- Delegated life-saving tasks to provide comprehensive treatment to triaged patients in emergency situations.
- Educated patients and family members on medical treatments and therapies for informed support.
- Performed intubations to secure airway in patients under respiratory and cardiac arrest.
- Stayed in constant communication with patients to continuously maintain care and comfort during transportation.
- Safeguarded ambulance equipment through regular inventory checks, cleaning routines, and reporting any damaged items for replacement or repair immediately.
- Reduced response times by maintaining thorough knowledge of local geography and navigation routes.
- Attended training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in field and maintain existing knowledge.
- Took patient health histories and asked questions to determine cause of illness or injury.
- Trained new paramedics on proper procedures and protocols to maintain best practices and promote great patient care.
EMT-Basic Then Paramedic
Murphy Ambulance
01.2000 - 04.2003
- Facilitated seamless handoffs to hospital staff through comprehensive documentation and verbal reports of patient care provided during transport.
- Managed stressful situations calmly under pressure while maintaining composure to provide the best care possible for patients experiencing traumatic events.
- Assisted paramedics with advanced life support interventions when necessary, acting as an integral part of the emergency response team.
- Evaluated patient vital signs and status to determine care needs using pulse oximeters and electronic vital sign machines.
- Provided compassionate care for diverse populations including children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and individuals with special needs during medical emergencies.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of protocols, procedures and medical advances.
- Communicated with patients about pain, comfort, and needs during transportation and preliminary medical care.
- Utilized ambulances and other vehicles to transport patients to medical facilities.
- Conducted equipment and vehicle checks to maintain continuous and safe operation.
- Increased patient satisfaction by demonstrating empathy, active listening, and clear communication during medical emergencies.
- Contributed to a positive work environment within EMS team by fostering good relationships with colleagues and demonstrating dedication to continuous improvement in patient care practices.
- Upheld strict confidentiality standards while documenting sensitive information regarding patients'' medical histories or treatment plans as per HIPAA regulations.
- Maintained professional competence through ongoing education, training sessions, and skills evaluations to deliver the highest quality patient care possible.
- Mitigated risks related to infectious diseases by adhering to strict infection control procedures during patient assessment, treatment, and transport.
- Maintained accurate inventory records for ambulance supplies while ensuring timely replacement of expired or damaged items as needed for optimal preparedness during emergencies.
- Prevented further injuries or complications by immobilizing patients correctly using splints, bandages, backboards, or other equipment as needed based on specific cases.
- Demonstrated commitment to ethical conduct by consistently upholding the values and professional standards outlined in the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians Code of Ethics.
- Evaluated patient histories to assess and prioritize levels of care.
- Maintained accurate patient records and documentation of treatments to enable tracking history and safeguard information.
- Assisted with lifting and moving patients.
- Assessed medical conditions of patients in pre-hospital settings.
- Transported patients to medical facilities and provided transportation to follow-up appointments.
- Handled patient transfers from one medical facility to another.
- Delivered emotional support to patients and families.
- Collaborated with medical doctors and other healthcare professionals.
- Observed patient behavior to report changes to medical personnel.
- Assessed patient conditions, maintaining calm demeanor in urgent situations.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing timely and accurate assessments, treatments, and interventions during transports.
Assembly Line Worker
Cherry Electric
01.1999 - 01.2000
- Met daily production quotas by working effectively within a fast-paced assembly line environment.
- Collaborated with team members to maximize productivity and ensure seamless workflow on the assembly line.
- Stocked and replenished parts used on assembly line to maintain consistent supply and inventory.
- Contributed to a positive work atmosphere, fostering strong relationships with colleagues while maintaining professionalism and focus on tasks at hand.
Assembly Line Worker
Motorola
12.1997 - 01.1999
- Met daily production quotas by working effectively within a fast-paced assembly line environment.
- Collaborated with team members to maximize productivity and ensure seamless workflow on the assembly line.
- Stocked and replenished parts used on assembly line to maintain consistent supply and inventory.
- Contributed to a positive work atmosphere, fostering strong relationships with colleagues while maintaining professionalism and focus on tasks at hand.
Education
High School Diploma -
Carmel Catholic High School
Mundelein, IL05.1997
No Degree - Psychology
College of Lake County
Grayslake, ILNo Degree - Emergency Medical Technology
College of Lake County
Grayslake, ILNo Degree - Fire Science
College of Lake County
Grayslake, ILNo Degree - Fire Science
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, ILSkills
- Incident Command
- Operational Efficiency
- Emergency Response
- Organizational Development
- Scheduling and Coordination
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Customer Relations
- Documentation And Reporting
- Advanced Life Support
- Critical decision-making skills
- Direct Patient Care
- Pre-hospital Care
Certification
- Firefighter II
- Firefighter III
- EMT-Basic
- Paramedic
- Fire Officer I
- Fire Service Instructor I
- Hazardous Material Operations
- Rope Operations
- Confined Space Operations
- Trench Operations
- Trench Technician
- Structural Collapse Operations
- Structural Collapse Technician
- Vehicle Machinery Operations
- Vehicle Machinery Technician
- Numerous other certificates for firefighter, EMS, and officer development
Timeline
EMT-Basic Then Paramedic
Murphy Ambulance
01.2000 - 04.2003
Assembly Line Worker
Cherry Electric
01.1999 - 01.2000
Lieutenant; Firefighter and Paramedic
Newport Township Fire Protection District
07.1998 - Current
Assembly Line Worker
Motorola
12.1997 - 01.1999
High School Diploma -
Carmel Catholic High School
No Degree - Psychology
College of Lake County
No Degree - Emergency Medical Technology
College of Lake County
No Degree - Fire Science
College of Lake County
No Degree - Fire Science
Oakton Community College
- Firefighter II
- Firefighter III
- EMT-Basic
- Paramedic
- Fire Officer I
- Fire Service Instructor I
- Hazardous Material Operations
- Rope Operations
- Confined Space Operations
- Trench Operations
- Trench Technician
- Structural Collapse Operations
- Structural Collapse Technician
- Vehicle Machinery Operations
- Vehicle Machinery Technician
- Numerous other certificates for firefighter, EMS, and officer development
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