Sgt. Scott Schrader, one of three Greenwood firefighters injured while combatting an early-morning fire last week, is back at home.
“He’s doing pretty good,” said Greenwood Fire Chief Marcus Banks, who escorted Schrader home from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson on Friday.
Schrader, who suffered injuries and burns to his neck, chest and back when the building partially collapsed, was airlifted to UMC Tuesday where he later underwent neck surgery.
Other firefighters injured last Tuesday included Capt. Sean Jones, who suffered a broken foot and Firefighter First Class Paten McDaniel, who had a dislocated hip.
Both Jones and McDaniel were treated at Greenwood Leflore Hospital and have been released.
It has been determined that the fire the men were fighting, was deliberately set.
The prognosis for all three of the firefighters is encouraging, Banks said Saturday. “What I’m hearing from the doctors is they’re expecting a full recovery.”
“We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure they have everything they need,” Banks said.
Greenwood Police Officer Kristopher Hoskins, who attempted to free the firefighters after the building collapsed, suffered a twisted knee. He was treated and released from Greenwood Leflore Hospital last Tuesday.
The chief said the show of support from the Greenwood community and from the firefighting community nationwide has been overwhelming.
Schrader, while in the hospital, had visitors from several fire departments including Jackson, Flowood, Madison and Natchez.
Banks said he wanted to extend his personal thanks to the medical staff at Greenwood Leflore and UMC for their efforts in treating the firefighters as well as to the Greenwood Police Department and the Leflore County Sheriff’s Department, which also responded to the fire.
Banks also thanked Capt. Herbert Jones, a retired Greenwood fire training officer and who is now minister. Banks said jones reached out to the shift that was on duty at the time of last Tuesday’s fire.
Jones put the firefighters through a round of “critical incident stress management” counseling, to help them cope with the stress of the day’s events, Banks said.
The chief said the injured firefighters are blessed. “That accident could have been a lot worse.”
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
