Fresno fire captain injured while battling house fire recovering (please help injured fire fighter)

ABC News -Fresno ^ | March 30, 2015 | Veronica Miracle

[Baynative]

FRESNO, Calif. -- The Fresno Fire Department has released the name of the firefighter who was injured while battling a house fire on Sunday afternoon.

Officials say Fire Captain Pete Dern was leading his crew across the roof to provide ventilation, when he fell through the roof and into the fire. Other firefighters rescued him within minutes, but he suffered second- and third-degree burns across his body. The fire department says he is heavily sedated and breathing on a respirator.

[Baynative]

Captain Dern was critically injured while venting a roof on a two story house fire. Pete fell through a collapsed roof into a burning garage. Within minutes he was was rescued but not without sustaining 2nd and 3rd degree burns to over 60% of his body. Pete is currently in the Burn unit at Community hospital with a very long road ahead of him. Pete's wife, daughter, mother, sisters and family, alongside of his fire family are with him. Pete is a well respected Captain as well as a loved friend .

His recovery will be long and will need Kelly and his daughter as much as possible. Our hearts are broken and helping Kelly to stay at his side is most important. This donation is to make it possible for Kelly and her daughter to stay by his side as long as he needs them to. We thank you!

A really good guy from the home of FRee Republic founder Jim Robinson could use a little support. Let's show some support for a guy who has spent his life and career serving others. A few bucks will add up - please join us by making a contribution.

[Baynative]

Please join the effort and ping your lists or friends -

From the founder of the support page, this comments shows what kind of a guy Pete is:

by Karey Wedemeyer
Pete's married to my cousin, Kelly. After my Grandmother passed away, Pete and Kelly took my Grandfather, Walter, into their home. Pete and Kelly's care extended Walter's life for years. Walter adored watching his great grandaughter grow up and loved meeting the Fresno City Firefighters.

Pete and Kelly prolonged Walter's life in a more humorous way. They routinely watered down Walter's vodka behind his back.(A far wiser move than telling him he couldnt have any). Walter could be stubborn and loved to drink. The watered down vodka still makes me smile.

Pete and Kelly have given so much to other people. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.-Chris T.

Fresno City Firefighters

[NKP_Vet]

Some that knows him needs to set up a donation fund for him.
The link......

http://www.gofundme.com/

[glorgau]

Why does the guy need a donation fund? Is he indigent or something?

Being a captain, I’m sure that he is amply insured and compensated.

[njslim]

Our chief showed us the video - as example of what not to do

Should not been on that roof as fire had vented, also in
modern lightweight construction may only have 10 minutes
before collapse occurs......

[sheana]

Hubby was injured on the job a couple of times. His insurance paid for everything and his vacation and sick leave kept the checks coming while he was off. The Women’s Auxillary even brought us homemade food that could be reheated in the microwave.
You are correct.

[ansel12]

This is fund raising for the rich with benefits almost unimaginable.

[Baynative]

I thought of that, but I don’t know the condition, or why they were doing that at that point. But, that is not a concern now, at least in the case of Cpt. Dern.

[dragnet2]

That was my thought. Donating blood is fine. But cash?

It should be said, folks on fire departments/police departments etc., generally receive the very best of care and receive substantial support from the departments they work for.

[sheana]

Our local 1301 raised $16,500 for the family at a breakfast this morning. Firefighters supporting firefighters.

[Baynative]

He is going to go through a long and painful recovery requiring dozens of surgeries. We are raising money so his wife can hopefully not worry about working and instead be available full time to support him and care for their three children. While medical coverage is good his salary is not fully compensated under California comp law and the benefit of his wife being able to be the anchor for the family and not worry about paying the bills will be heaven sent.

[Baynative]

I’m sure this will become a training point everywhere. My son is a Captain in a California department and says their policy is not to ventilate roofs, especially over garages where large doors provide easy openings.

[Baynative]

AND BTW- thanks for what you do. Your service is appreciated by more folks than you may realize, not just at fires, but all the community efforts FFDs participate in and conduct.

[sheana]

Fire departments all over the state will be raising money for the family. Our local 1301 raised $16,500 at a breakfast we attended this morning. I’m sure they’ll also hold a bingo night where all the proceeds will go to the family.

[Yaelle]

Bumping. Prayers up. Keep us posted on how to donate.

[Baynative]

Thank you for your caring support. Website here

[sheana]

Oops take that back. It was not local 1301 it was the Kern County Fire Dept Burn Survivors Trust and Bakersfield Fire Dept Burn Trust.
Local 1301 is holding a bingo night proceeds to go to the family. I’ll be attending it too.
We also had our annual KCFD bbq today and the KCFD Burn Survivors trust was selling baked goods, t shirts, etc. with partial proceeds to go to the family. I donated $20 there.
Firefighters and their families support all kinds of causes.

[editor-surveyor]

Let’s help this brave soul!

[dragnet2]

I hope this guy recovers. However, you should see how life in for most of private sector America nowadays.

There is no support, no top self medical benefits, no gold plated retirement pensions, no government union support and no city/county government departments personnel for support.

zip...zero.

[editor-surveyor]

.
I hope you never get dumped into a 1500 degree inferno for 5 minutes!
.