Schaitberger Back on the Fire Ground in Florida

March 25, 2008 – In Florida earlier this year, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger joined Jacksonville, FL Local 122 fire fighters as they rescued a man from a burning house.

“The IAFF fights every day to ensure that our brothers and sisters have the resources they need to do the job safely and effectively,” notes Schaitberger. “I am proud to say that is the kind of response I saw that day.”

Schaitberger was visiting Jacksonville fire fighters when the call came in for a structure fire with a report of one person trapped.

First arriving units on scene reported smoke and fire showing from the single story wood frame structure. Additional reports indicated that the trapped man was in a wheelchair. Fire fighters quickly entered the structure and found the victim unconscious.

Local 122 fire fighters were able to get the man out safely, administer medical treatment and transport him to Shands Trauma Center in Jacksonville. He was later flown to the Shands Burn Center in Gainesville, Florida, for further treatment.