A fundraiser for a Stanislaus County firefighter, who was seriously burned by the Caldor Fire, has raised over $70,000 in donations.
Richard Gerety, a West Stanislaus Fire Protection District firefighter, was battling the destructive blaze in El Dorado County on Saturday when he fell onto a burned area.
He was rushed to the UC Davis Medical Center burn unit, where he continues to be treated for second- and third-degree burns to about 20% of his body. Jeff Gregory, Gerety's chief, told KCBS Radio's Holly Quan the most severe burns were on the back of Gerety's arms and legs.
"It was a tough phone call to get, and it caught me off guard," Gregory said of learning about Gerety's injuries.
The fire district, on behalf of his wife Jennifer, set up a GoFundMe to assist his family while he’s in the hospital. Donations have poured in from over 900 people, blowing past the fundraiser’s original goal of $60,000 to a total of $73,558 as of 6 p.m. Thursday.
In an update posted to the GoFundMe, Jennifer said her husband underwent successful surgery for skin grafting on Wednesday. Gerety is expected to stay in the hospital about a month, after which he will have "a long road of recovery at home." Jennifer said he is in good spirits and "trying to keep us all laughing."
"We are so blessed with the outpour of prayers, kind words, and donations. I do not think there is enough words to thank each one of you who have helped us in any capacity," she wrote. "Please keep the good thoughts and prayers going for Richard as he goes through this recovery. Again, thank you for everything we appreciate it all so much!"
Gerety is one of three firefighters who have been injured by the Caldor Fire. He and his wife have a two-year-old son.
Gregory told KCBS Radio that Gerety works for the Fire Protection District as a volunteer, mostly on weekends while he works another job five days a week.
"He's not really compensated that much, and he's going to be out of work for a while," Gregory said. "So this GoFundMe thing is going to help him and his family for months until he's able to work."
To donate to Gerety’s GoFundMe, click here.
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