Virginia Krakowiak
Age: 37
Location: (Live) Camas, WA & (Work) Portland, OR
Occupation: 911 Dispatcher
While Virginia Krakowiak may not wear a cape or a mask, this 911 dispatcher and animal rescuer certainly saves the day. Between answering emergency calls and founding the pilot project On-Call Community Rescue for Animals, Virginia spends her time aiding humans and critters alike.
The path to becoming an emergency phone operator originally came about through hard labor…literally. In her twenties, Virginia worked as a farmhand, carpenter, and bartender.
“I wanted a little more job security, higher pay, and most importantly – health insurance. I come from a family of paramedics, firefighters, and nurses and when I saw the job posting it just seemed to make sense,” she explains.
The pedigree and her perseverance paid off, although she’s the first to tell you that it isn’t easy.
“I remember a ten-minute call where I gave CPR instructions to a man who came upon a multi-fatality rollover accident. He ran directly to the youngest and most traumatic of the patients and for 10 minutes did everything he could to save the life of a stranger, an 8-year-old girl. When paramedics arrived, they took over for him we said our humble goodbye. I then immediately took a 911 call from a woman who wanted police to do something because a particular grocery store was no longer accepting checks,” Virginia says. “I always think I’ve really heard it all, and I’m often reminded that I have not.”
“Basically, I wanted to help these agencies fill those gaps with a group of trained volunteers who would be available at all hours to respond to the calls that are left with no response,” she explains.
Virginia’s biggest goal, outside of starting her non-profit OCCRA, is to focus on her work with Oregon Humane Society Technical Animal Rescue. As part of the OHSTAR team, she and other qualified members respond to high-angle rope rescue calls in Oregon and Southern Washington.
And what advice does she have to other young women looking to make their mark on the world?
“Be kind, be loving, treat people with respect and patience….try and find a way to slow down, breathe, and practice kindness.”
Words to live by! For all of her work helping animals and people, and for her tenacious dedication to bringing assistance resources to her community, we think Virginia Krakowiak is one very Cool Girl!
A $200 donation was made to Wildwood Farm Sanctuary on behalf of Virginia. You can donate here.
Virg, you rock.
I want to be like you when I grow up
Love to you
Grandpa Tom