Autobiography by Kimberly S. Grabow

Since the age of 12, I knew I wanted to be a Paramedic. The idea of being able to speed with lights and sirens to help the sick and injured sounded so cool at that age. After several years of thinking about what I wanted to do in my life, the role of Paramedic still sounded good. However, the idea of speeding with lights and sirens changed to “If I could just make a difference in one person’s life for today” it would all be worth it.

With 15 yrs as a Paramedic, I spent 7 yrs working the road for Ruehle’s Ambulance Co. and then went into nursing school in 1990. In 1991 I was hired at St. Joseph West Hospital as an ER tech and became a RN in 1992. I am still currently employed there and also run the clinicals for the EMT-B’s and Paramedics. In 1993 I accepted another challenge and became Macomb Township’s first female firefighter. Completing the fire academy at levels I and II with Hazmat operations, I entered into a different realm and liked it. As of 3 yrs ago I was promoted to Medical Training Officer and Instructor Coordinator I currently run all the continuing education for approx 55 firefighters whose medical licenses range from MFR – Paramedic. Along with this, I am contracted with Medstar Medical Education as an Instructor Coordinator and assist in planning and teaching with the Basic EMT and Paramedic programs. Other certifications include TNCC Trauma Nursing Core Course, ENPC Emergency Nurses Pediatric Course, ACLS, CPR instructor, being a member of the Society of Instructor Coordinators of Michigan and the Emergency Nurses Association. I enjoy being able to share the knowledge that I have gained over the years with those who are just going into the field along with continuing to expand my own knowledge. My future goal would be to see my students succeed in becoming the best in their field with the same compassion and dedication to make a difference in someone else’s life.

Continued by Mark Grabow...

Kim continued at St. Joe’s ER until Feb 2007. She then decided to join the group that provided medical treatment to the Macomb County Jail and The Macomb County Juvenile Justice Center. Once she started at the Juvenile center she found her true love, enjoying the kids and staff that she worked with. Kim was proud to be the lead nurse at the facility and was a favorite to the staff and the kids. Kim continued to enjoy the EMS field and maintained her Medical Training Officer position with Macomb Township Fire Department until her Death.

Kim’s Love for teaching others shows in her own writing and those that knew her loved her classes and her sense of the dark side of EMS humor. Kim made a decision that she could no longer live with the great pain of addiction and depression and left us on the 25th of Sept 2008.

In Kim’s spirit of teaching and helping others, we now come forth with the Kim Grabow EMS/ FIRE Education Foundation. Please work with us and help teach others that the great pain and suffering never needs to be dealt with alone, no matter how deeply hidden in the medical field. We need each and everyone of these professionals to be here and help us in the daily items in all of our lives.

Please join us and help the foundation to educate and train other new EMT’s to become the life savers of tomorrow and to help all medical professionals learn to communicate before it’s too late!