It is with greatest sorrow the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad announces the line-of-duty death of our volunteer and Life Member, Nicole (Nikki) Dawn Kielar. Nikki was a highly skilled paramedic, a valued friend, and a strong leader.
Nikki was employed as a flight paramedic with LifeEvac a subsidiary of Colorado-based Air Methods, operated from Stafford, Virginia. After departing Washington Hospital Center last night, the aircraft in which she was working crashed into the Potomac River. We understand that Miss Kielar died in the crash.
David L. Starmer, CARS President said, "Nikki gave willingly of her time and energy . Her passing leaves a void at this agency and in the lives of her friends and families that can not be filled. It is some small consolation to know she died doing what she loved - in the service of others."
Nikki Kielar, 29, became a volunteer at the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad in 1996 while she was an undergraduate at the University of Virginia. She continued to volunteer during her graduate studies at the Medical College of Virginia where she earned a Master's Degree. Since her employment with LifeEvac, she has remained an active volunteer with the Rescue Squad.
A volunteer for over eight years, she selflessly gave of her time and energy for the benefit of the Charlottesville-Albemarle community as a paramedic and at CARS. During her tenure, she contributed over 6,000 hours of her personal time to this community. She held a number of key volunteer leadership positions. Nikki worked tirelessly at CARS and with local hospitals, governments, and other emergency service organizations to assure the highest quality of care to our citizens.
Nikki was a current member of the Rescue Squad's Board of Directors. She was a member of the Vehicle Rescue Team, the Water Rescue Team, and the Technical Rescue Team. In 2004 she was a member of the State Championship Advanced Life Support competition team. Nikki had served as Squad Training Officer, Crew Captain, Duty Officer, and Assistant Chief for Operations.
Arrangements are incomplete at this time.
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