Injured Citizens Hose EMT Kelly Jackson on the road to recovery

Injured Citizens Hose emergency medical technician Kelly Jackson is coming home — or at least closer to it.

After nearly a week in a Pittsburgh hospital, the Tarentum woman was transferred late Thursday to Alle­gheny Valley Hospital in Harrison to continue physical therapy.

“She’s doing pretty good,” said Lori Miller, president of the Hilltop Hose Ladies Auxiliary and a friend who started a GoFundMe fundraising page for Jackson.

“She was able to get her first shower today, and some stitches are coming out. She’ll do in-patient rehab at AVH, so it’s like she’s coming home.”

Jackson, 42, was seriously injured while responding to a call Jan. 6 on Burtner Road during a snowstorm. She was struck by a sliding vehicle and thrown nearly 30 yards.

Her injuries were numerous.

They included a brain bleed, two broken bones in her lower back, several broken ribs, a laceration of her liver, broken teeth, stitches on her forehead and scalp, a tear in her aorta and several other cuts.

“Kelly is one of the strongest people that I know,” said co-worker Ben Cassoni, a first responder with Citizens for seven years. “She is determined, and I’m not surprised by that. She’s a tough woman.”

The crash was determined to be weather-related, and charges are not expected to be filed, Allegheny County Police spokesman Jim Madalinsky said.

Miller said the GoFundMe to benefit Jackson surpassed its goal of $10,000 in just five days. Donations as of Friday totaled $14,800.

Miller said the fundraiser will remain open for people who want to give.

She wasn’t surprised by the outpouring.

“Our little community always steps up,” Miller said.

Despite having a long road of rehab ahead, Miller said Jackson’s move to AVH will make her recovery easier on family and friends who can pop in to see her more readily.

“I live two minutes from the hospital,” Miller said. “If she needs anything, I can bring it. It will be easier for everyone to help her out.”

Up next, Miller is helping to plan a community spaghetti dinner Feb. 25 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Harrison.

Jackson has requested that proceeds benefit the Alle-Kiski Health Foundation, also in Harrison, through which she received free EMT training.

A native of Gulfport, Miss., Jackson worked first as a paralegal before moving to the Valley years ago. She settled with her husband and son in Tarentum and decided to make a career-switch, earning her EMT certification through the foundation.

She graduated and started working as an EMT about six months ago.

“She wants others to have the same access to training,” Miller said.

John Pastorek, executive director of the health foundation, said he is in awe at the “extremely generous gesture.”

“It is interesting to note that on the day the foundation announced that it will be providing its fourth emergency services training course, Ms. Jackson made her wishes about the spaghetti dinner proceeds known,” Pastorek said. “Kelly’s actions are a testament to the deep appreciation that our EMT graduates have for the foundation.”

Pastorek recalled Jackson as a “committed and eager” EMT student. While he’s saddened by her situation and her injuries suffered in the line of duty, Pastorek said everyone at the foundation is proud of her dedication.

Cassoni said that while he’s only known her a couple of months, “she’s definitely someone you want on your team.

“Kelly has a heart of gold,” he said.

Citizens Hose Supervisor Jim Erb said he is looking forward to Jackson’s eventual return to work. In the meantime, he thanked neighboring EMS for the camaraderie.

“The guys from Eureka (Tarentum), the job they did with her that day, it was excellent,” Erb said. “Freeport, too. They’ve been coming up and answering some calls.

“We’re all friends, the EMS community, and we’re usually on the same calls,” Erb said. “But when something happens and we take care of each other’s communities, that’s when you really feel it.”