Chuck Yelich
Communications Specialist, STAT Comm

Chuck has been involved in EMS since his early childhood. He used to volunteer at the Sewickley Township Ambulance Service as an attendant and dispatcher while attending junior high and high school. When Chuck turned sixteen, he earned his EMT certification and began working as an EMT on the ambulance. After high school, Chuck studied musical theater and acting at Point Park College before transferring to Indiana University of Pennsylvania to study Music. After leaving his studies at IUP he earned his paramedic certification but had viewed his EMS education as something to fall back on. While studying again at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Chuck began working for Citizen’s Ambulance Service as a Paramedic/Crew Chief. This transition back into EMS eventually landed him in his current position as a Communications Specialist at STAT Comm.

During his first year, Chuck worked in Medic Command and was then transferred to STAT Comm where he has been for the last two years. He is responsible for dispatching aircraft, processing requests for the transport of patients from both hospitals and 911 centers, as well as, any other requests received from customers and crew members. Chuck, along with the other Communication Specialists at STAT Comm, organize and coordinate domestic and international fixed wing flights. Chuck is also responsible for updating the database for all of the Predesignated Landing Zones in the flight dispatching software, in addition to handling several different trauma, burns, and ground transport databases.

Chuck enjoys working at STAT Comm because there is something new and different every time the phone rings. One minute he is handling an emergency scene run, and the next he is coordinating a medical consult between a physician and the medical crew. He enjoys the stresses of multi-tasking, being constantly challenged, and needing to be sharp every minute of the day. “I am very fortunate to have been placed in this position at the Communications Center and hope that I’ll be able to remain here for many years to come.”

When Chuck is not working, he and his wife are preparing to welcome their first child, due in August. In a couple of weeks they will know if they are having a boy or girl. He also spends time playing with their two dogs and cat, relaxing, watching movies, and playing PlayStation 2.