By: Catrina Leone, intern
There is never a dull moment in Cleveland! That is what I love the most about this city, there is always so much to look forward too and so much to discuss. On December 3rd, a new chief of fire was sworn-in. Mayor Frank Jackson swore in Patrick J. Kelly as Cleveland’s 14th Chief of Fire. Kelly is a 31-year veteran of the Division of Fire where he previously held the positions of Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief and Assistant Chief. Since August, 2013 he has served as Intrum Chief of Fire. Mayor Jackson had nothing but kind words to say about Kelly, stating “Throughout his career with the Cleveland Division of Fire, Chief Kelly has worked in or been responsible for all of the operational areas of the division. This knowledge and experience will be invaluable as he works to fully integrate Fire and EMS into a new all-hazards division, with a focus on meeting the ever-changing and growing needs for pre-hospital medical care in our neighborhoods.”
Chief Kelly led the Division of Fire’s efforts to create the ALS (Advanced Life Support) pumper pilot program and represents the division on the Physicians’ Advisory Board to develop medical protocols. He has also played an important role in the labor management discussions related to the integration of Fire and EMS.
His career began in March 1982 with the Cleveland Division of Fire. He started off as an apprentice firefighter. In 1991, he was awarded a Medal of Valor for rescuing a man from an apartment fire. In 1993, he was promoted to Lieutenant, to Captain in 1997, to Battalion Chief in 2001 and Assistant Chief in 2007. While being Assistant Chief, Kelly served as Chief of Operations and Executive Officer for the Division of Fire.
Chief Kelly got his associate’s degree from Cuyahoga Community College in Fire Science Technology. He has also completed the Ohio Executive Fire Officer Program and multiple training programs at the state and federal level, including with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Kelly is also a Hazardous Materials Technician-State of Ohio fire Instructor; a State of Ohio Life Safety Inspector and Emergency Medical Technician. He is also certified in Marine Firefighting and a licensed SCUBA Diver. He is National Incident Management System ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 & 800 certified.
There is no better man for the job than Chief Kelly. Stay tuned to TV20 for the latest news and updates in our area!
