By FireRescue1 Staff
HAGERSTOWN, Md. — A firefighter returned to work Monday after suffering a near career-ending injury last year.
Hagerstown Fire Department firefighter James Sprecher III was responding to a call last Christmas Eve when a humat valve became loose and slammed into Sprecher’s legs, reported Your4State. His right ankle was fractured and his left leg was broken in several locations.
“I think everybody had the same thought in the back of their mind, ‘was this career ending,” Sprecher said. “My biggest concern was that I’ll never be in the fire department again.”
Sprecher, who comes from a family of firefighters, spent nine months in physical therapy.
“The only thing that has brought him back to work is raw guts, hard work and the support of his family, friends and coworkers,” Hagerstown Fire Chief Steve Lohr said.
On Sprecher’s first day back, he responded to a call in the same town where he was injured.
“I enjoy helping people, especially when it’s their time of need, knowing that we can better someone’s life or even just put a smile on someone’s face,” Sprecher said.