By WUSA
It’s been nearly two months since five D.C. firefighters were injured while fighting a house fire in Northeast. Thursday, the last of those firefighters was released from the hospital and his entire company came out to welcome him home.
“I already feel ten times better. The hospital staff takes care of you and they do a really good job. But, just to be out of the atmosphere of the hospital and be back outside feels great,” said D.C. Firefighter Chuck Ryan.
“I can’t believe how much he’s come back from that night that he was burned,” said D.C. Firefighter J.C. Carroll. “It’s a tremendous showing of his will-power and love for the job.”
Ryan, a D.C. Firefighter and the Chief of the Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department in Prince George’s County, was badly burned when the roof collapsed while he was fighting a fire on April 8th, 2011. Four other firefighters were also injured, but Ryan was by far the worst. He had second and third degree burns over 30-percent of his body. Today, his arms, hands, legs, and feet are still covered in bandages. Still, Ryan says he is itching to get back to work.
“Oh I’ll be back. Absolutely. 100%. There’s no question. I will be back,” Ryan said. “I’ve made it back home. Now my mission is to make it back to work.”
Republished with permission from WUSA.