STANISLAUS COUNTY, Calif. — A Stanislaus County firefighter has a long road to recovery after suffering severe burns on roughly 20% of his body while fighting the Caldor Fire in El Dorado County.
West Stanislaus Fire Protection District Chief Jeff Gregory confirmed with ABC10 that firefighter Richard Gerety was injured on Aug. 28 while part of a strike team fighting the northeast section of the fire.
Gregory said Gerety was taken to a burn center for treatment with second and third-degree burns on his hands, the back of his arms, and legs, which stretched from the groin area to the top of the boot.
"He will have a long road of recovery and needs your support. His wife and 2-year-old son are with him. We are working with the Firefighter Burn Institute representative to assist the family with anything they need. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts through this difficult time,” Gregory told ABC10 in a statement.
Gerety is expected to undergo skin grafting on Sept. 1 and could be in the hospital for at least a month. Gregory said the injured firefighter is in good spirits and also receiving good care.
His wife, Jennifer, has been with him every step of the way in the hospital and spoke with ABC10 by phone Wednesday.
"He loves fire. He has been itching to go on the strike team. As soon as he got the call, he was finally going out. It was get the stuff and go," Jennifer said about her husband's enthusiasm to work the Caldor Fire.
Gerety is a volunteer firefighter and works full time as a mechanic with John Deere. Jennifer told ABC10, her husband loves volunteering as a firefighter. Their son, 2 and a half year old Richard IV, loves fire trucks and tractors.
Gregory verified that a GoFundMe account was set up to help Gerety's family during the next several months. It is the only authorized fundraiser by the family at this time, he said.
In addition to the support on GoFundMe, Gregory said people can send cards to the following address:
West Stanislaus Fire Protection District
Attn. Gerety Family
344 West Las Palmas Ave.
West Stanislaus Fire District
Patterson, CA 95363
The GoFundMe account can be found HERE.