A Lebanon City Fire Department firefighter is in critical but stable condition at Crozer-Chester Burn Center following injuries while combating a house fire in Mill Creek, DE.
Dave Smiley Jr volunteers his off-duty time at Minquas Fire Company in Newport, DE, where he is a live-in member and current Rescue Captain.
During a fire operation, the floor of a house collapsed and Smiley fell through the floor from the second floor to the first floor. He sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns on approximately a tenth of his body, primarily to his ankles, hands, neck, ears, stomach and back.
The Lebanon City Fire Department posted this picture of Smiley, smiling, to the company’s Facebook page.
At present, a GoFundMe fundraiser has raised about $7,600 of the current $10,000 goal. “Nobody is sure how long his recovery will be, or how long he will be out of work,” according to the update, which also says that Fire Captain Smiley was initially on a ventilator but has since been removed.
In addition to the GoFundMe fundraiser, you may also contact IAFF Local 1952 for more information on supporting Smiley.