Recently, Kelley Russum was selected as our “Inside the Fire Station – Member Spotlight” to profile. Kelley joined the Chestertown VFC in 2019. Kelley comes to us from Prince Georges County, where she is the youngest of seven children. While taking care of her grandmother, she started volunteering in Anne Arundel County in 2008. In 2011, after studying at Anne Arundel Community College, she earned her Paramedic license. She worked for a private ambulance company until 2014, when she started with Queen Annes County Office of Emergency Services, working as a career paramedic.
As part of her duties with Queen Annes County, she works helping with training, and serves as a MIEMSS (Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services System) preceptor. A preceptor is a qualified, experienced paramedic that makes themselves available to help paramedic students get field experience, prior to their being licensed. The student responds with a preceptor on real emergency calls. The paramedic student, with supervision and oversight from the preceptor, will handle patient care for the incidents they respond to together. When the call is finished the preceptor will critique the student’s knowledge, skill, and performance… offering valuable advice and insight on how and where they can improve their performance.
Kelly is also part of the CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) group for Queen Annes County. The CISM group is made up of seasoned, experienced personnel that have “been there, and done that”. They are available to help individuals work through challenging thoughts & emotions after particularly bad incidents, such as an MCI (Mass Casualty Incident), or any serious, tragic incident… especially if children were involved, etc. Timely intervention by CISM professionals is the key to preventing, and/or managing PTSD, a.k.a. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
When not working, Kelly enjoys spending time with family. She devotes her left-over time to volunteering, where she serves on the Chestertown VFC EMS Committee. This committee manages the EMS equipment and supplies we carry on our equipment, ensuring it’s there, available, and in first-rate condition.
Kelley is married to James B. “Brad” Russum, now serving as the Deputy Chief (2nd in command) of the Chestertown VFC. Kelley & Brad make their domicile in Chester Harbor, Queen Annes County, just across the bridge. They are raising four children there… Silas Payne (14), Gabby Russum (8), Ryland Culotta (8), and Reagan Russum (1). They also have two dogs, which rule the roost… Mack, an English Bulldog, and Beau, a Great Dane / Mastiff mix.
Please join us in wishing Kelley well as she continues her multi-faceted career of being a mother, wife, and an EMS professional!
