A professional firefighter, dog trainer, volunteer, and devoted mom to her three-year-old daughter, Kelly still found the time to sit down for a quick chat and share a glimpse into her busy life.

When she is not on duty saving lives, Kelly dedicates her free time to training dogs and supporting animal associations. Over the past few years, she’s completed numerous training programs and courses, further strengthening both her professional and personal commitments. Yet, despite all her accomplishments, she remains remarkably modest and grounded.

When I asked her whether her job makes her feel important, her answer was simple and powerful: "I just do what everybody else should do—help others."

Kelly’s story is one of quiet strength, deep compassion, and an unwavering commitment to helping others. Whether she’s saving lives as a firefighter, training dogs, or raising her young daughter, she does it all with grace, humility, and heart.

Kelly’s origins

Born in France, Kelly moved to Portugal with her parents at the age of five. Later, she studied biology with a specialization in Biomedicine at the University of Algarve, and soon after finishing her degree, she spent seven years living in Liverpool, UK. Her deep love for animals never faded. A proud dog mum to four dogs, her journey into animal care began as a volunteer at a kennel, where her passion turned into a profession. She eventually became an employee, learning the full range of dog care—from basic procedures to rehabilitation—helping dogs from poor conditions become healthy, adoptable companions.

After returning to Portugal and spending nearly two years at home caring for her daughter, Kelly felt the time was right to pursue a new challenge—but it had to involve meaningful work. That’s when a unique opportunity opened at Bombeiros Portimão, which for the first time was recruiting full-time professionals rather than relying solely on volunteers.

Following her interview, where they understood Kelly's background, it was clear: Kelly was the right fit. What followed was an intense year of training and certification.

Now she can help people in all kinds of situations. She learned to handle emergency situations from ocean rescues to fires, high-rise evacuations. They also have a specialised team for hazardous chemical scenarios, if something serious happens in the area. Kelly is also trained to access vehicles if somebody is trapped inside. She became a fully qualified “bombeiro”—the Portuguese word for firefighter and a part of a K9 (Canine) Search and Rescue team. But as Kelly said, “The learning never stops. We are constantly doing more training, and we always need to be up to date with any changes in medicine, shifting from static theoretical knowledge to dynamic, scenario-based learning that prepares us for the realities of emergency care. Things are always evolving.”

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In Portugal, firefighters and hospitals work in close coordination. After getting a 112 call, firefighters will arrive with an ambulance. “Imagine that person has a cardiac arrest. The firefighters are often the first responders to act. Upon confirming the absence of vital signs, they immediately begin high-quality CPR to maintain blood flow to the brain and heart. The initial intervention is critical – it stabilizes the patient and preserves organ function until the medical team, typically composed of a nurse and a doctor, arrives to initiate advanced life support. Without this prompt and continuous basic life support, the chances of survival and recovery decrease significantly. Firefighters don’t just wait for the medical team – they actively sustain life in the most crucial moments.”

Physical strength

“Being in good shape is essential for this job. We exercise regularly, we have the facilities for it, and we're given time during our shifts to train. They really emphasize staying physically fit—so that we can perform well and stay safe ourselves.”

In a field still often seen as male-dominated, Kelly stands as living proof that women can bring not only physical strength but also the emotional resilience this demanding job requires. When asked whether the role is more physically or mentally challenging, she explains: “Physically, your body adjusts. Wearing a 20-kilo suit for urban fires isn’t easy, but it becomes routine. The harder part is the mental side—overthinking. Even after my shift ends, I can’t always switch off. I replay situations in my mind, wondering if I made the right choices.”

A typical day shift starts at 8:00 AM, when the team meets to assign daily roles. Kelly is usually paired with one colleague. If there’s no emergency call right away, they use the time to prepare their vehicle and equipment, ensuring everything is ready. Because when that 112 call comes in, they have just two minutes to leave the station—no delays, no second chances. It's a job that demands constant readiness and composure under pressure. Yet through all the chaos, Kelly remains calm and centred. And even if this job is very demanding, Kelly can hardly imagine doing anything else.

Despite her demanding 12-hour day and night shifts, Kelly remains devoted to her young daughter—a sweet, adventurous little girl who’s already a big dog lover just like her mom.

Family

Kelly’s daughter is growing up fast—and becoming more aware of her mother’s unique and demanding job. She has started asking the kind of questions that affect a parent’s heart deeply: “Mummy, why do you have to work at night?”

Kelly always takes the time to gently explain what she does and why it's important. “I try to explain to her what I do and why I do it. We need to do what we love, because only when all areas of our life are fulfilled can we truly be happy.”

Despite her long shifts and unpredictable hours, Kelly is intentional about the time she spends with her daughter. “I always make sure she feels loved and well taken care of when I’m with her.”