The Macon Telegraph
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Augusta-Richmond County firefighters lined the sixth floor of Doctors Hospital to cheer the departure of Macon-Bibb County Fire District Chief Stephen Stafford.
With hospital staff clapping to the Pharrell Williams song, “Happy,” tears welled in Stafford’s eyes as he hugged people along the way.
The nearly 41-year veteran firefighter headed home to Macon on Wednesday afternoon after 36 days in the hospital being treated for injuries sustained in a Feb. 11 house fire that killed his comrade, Lt. Randy Parker.
Stafford was so excited he couldn’t sleep Tuesday night.
“I’m going to see my mama and then my wife’s parents,” Stafford said just before being discharged in a special ceremony. “I’m going to go home and sit on the patio and thank God this day has come.”
There were times when he thought this day would never come.
He lost the use of his left side following the fire but cannot be certain how he was injured.
“We’re trying to find out. I don’t know if I fell, but I know a firefighter caught me twice,” Stafford said.
The 59-year-old is expected to have months more outpatient treatment once he gets home.
When the time is right, he looks forward to talking to other firefighters who were battling the blaze last month on Fairview Drive.
With smoke polluting the oxygen to his brain, he does not have a clear memory of what happened.
While in Augusta, he had to relearn how to walk and use his left arm and hand.
He credits his “Dream Team” with getting him up on his feet again and able to walk with the assistance of a walker.
Stafford was officially cut loose from the hospital at about 12:30 p.m. and was met outside by a surprise delegation of Macon-Bibb firefighters, including Chief Marvin Riggins.
“This is a wonderful day. I’m glad to see him up. He looks in great shape, so I’m excited for him to be coming home,” Riggins said after hugging Stafford at the curb.
As family members packed five weeks of accumulated belongings, Stafford headed back inside the hospital to visit with his colleagues and say goodbye again to his physical therapists.
Once for good measure, they had the chief walk down the hall without his walker, relying only on a railing.
Stafford was originally treated in the intensive care unit at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center along with other Macon-Bibb firefighters injured in the collapse of the first floor of the burning house.
Parker was trapped in debris and died in the blaze.
Although his cellphone is out of commission, Stafford said he has been keeping in contact with many firefighters and Parker’s widow.
“I felt much better when I talked to Lt. Parker’s wife, Sandie. I called to console her, and she wound up consoling me,” Stafford said.
He sent word to his crew that he was upbeat and didn’t want them to feel down.
The Augusta-Richmond fire department continually assisted Stafford and his family during their stay.
“We’re brothers, and we’re family, and we know they’d do the same for us if we were in Macon,” Augusta-Richmond Fire Training Chief Shaw Williams said.
“We all fight the same fire,” Augusta-Richmond Deputy Fire Chief Sterling Jones said.
Sandersville Fire Chief Russell Riner also traveled to Augusta to wish Stafford well.
Sharon Stafford said her husband told her to make sure there was gas in the lawn mower.
“He wants to get on the lawn mower and just sit,” she said. “I don’t think he’ll be cutting any grass.”
Sharon Stafford said she did not have any special orders for her husband, other than to rest and continue to gain strength through physical therapy.
“When we come back, he’s not going to have the walker,” she told a woman from the Augusta fire department.
Chief Stafford has a tall order for his wife: a home-cooked meal.
“Macaroni and cheese, potato salad, candied yams and meatloaf,” Stafford listed as he was making his way out of the hospital with a new salt and pepper beard that is not part of the fire department’s dress code.
Riggins said firefighter Adam Michie, who suffered burns on his hands and leg, returned to light duty Tuesday.
“His hand’s got to heal,” Riggins said. “Doctors won’t let him put a glove on.”
Only two others who were injured in the blaze are still out on previously scheduled vacation, and Riggins looks forward to the day Stafford returns to duty, he said.
“This is the last piece of the puzzle in getting us all back together,” Riggins said.
Stafford was particularly thankful for the kindness of strangers, friends and family.
“I’m feeling very, very grateful for everything. I just want the community to know I appreciate all the prayers, all the prayers they sent my way,” Stafford said, his voice cracking with emotion.
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