South Strabane Township firefighter recovering from injuries suffered from fallen tree
A South Strabane Township firefighter who suffered serious injuries after a falling tree struck him while helping to fight a large brush fire in Amwell Township Friday afternoon is recovering at home.
South Strabane Township Volunteer Fire Department firefighters responded to a call at about 3:20 p.m. to assist Amwell Township firefighters at the fire near Dynamite Road, but about 45 minutes into the fire, the falling tree struck the firefighter, whose name was not released.
The firefighter was flown by medical helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian, Pittsburgh, according to South Strabane Township Fire Chief Jordan Cramer.
Cramer said the firefighter was knocked unconscious and suffered multiple injuries to his head, face and neck.
Firefighters from South Strabane, Amwell and Lone Pine volunteer fire departments provided medical assistance until Washington Ambulance & Chair transported the injured firefighter to a landing zone, where he was flown by medical helicopter to UMPC Presbyterian, Pittsburgh, Cramer said.
Cramer said the firefighter's injuries were serious but not life-threatening.
Cramer said the department was grateful for the outpouring of support the firefighter and the fire department received since the accident happened.
Cramer said the accident serves as a reminder to South Strabane Township residents and those in southwestern Pennsylvania to burn responsibly. Over the past two weeks, several firefighters have been injured due to fires.
On its Facebook page, the fire department said additional information will be released later.
"Please stop burning until it is safe to do so," the post stated.
On Friday night, the National Weather Service Pittsburgh issued a special weather statement for western Pennsylvania counties warning of an elevated risk of wildfire spread due to dry and windy conditions.
In a press release, Cramer said the incident is a "somber reminder of the risks firefighters face every day."
