Upon entering his first house fire, the entryway floor collapsed beneath the weight of firefighter Alex Galang. The fall of over seven feet sent him to his back on the dark basement floor below.
Recognizing how deadly a situation he was in; Alex knew he had to act fast. Reaching for the floor joists, he attempted to climb to safety on his own. In the struggle, he lost both gloves, while his hands, arms, head, and calves started to burn. As his life flashed before his eyes, he kept focused on one thing: getting back to his wife, Tina.
Another firefighter fell into the basement soon after. After calling a mayday out over the radio, Alex crouched down to boost his friend to safety. “The pain from the burns was excruciating as I stood in that hot basement,” recalls Alex.
But Alex’s ordeal didn’t end here. First, the rescue ladder lost its footing, crashing Alex to the floor yet again. Next, the unintended blast of a firehose struck him in the head. Devastated, tired, in pain, and out of breath, his oxygen mask was now filling with water.
Support crews moved quickly, as a second ladder arrived alongside shouts of encouragement. With only 90 seconds of air in his respirator left to breathe, the crew above pulled Alex free. The injured firefighter was immediately taken to UC Davis Medical Center.
Alex suffered second and third degree burns to his head, hands, arms, and legs. A three-week stay in the Firefighters Burn Institute Regional Burn Center was necessary. His care program ranged from skin grafts to rehabilitative therapies and emotional care. Alex attributes his recovery to “the hard work and compassion of (those) at the Burn Center, the Firefighters Burn Institute, and Sacramento City Fire Department. From the hospital stay, to the emotional support, I felt my injuries were completely taken care of.” Alex notes that the encouragement of and connection with the burn community played a vital role in his recovery.
Now back to full duty as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Sacramento Fire Department, Alex continues to push himself to grow. “In many ways,” he finds, “my mental health recovery is far more complex than my physical burns. Managing anxiety and symptoms of my PTSD will always be a part of my life.”
The community continues to help Alex learn to live with “this new normal.” Recently attending the Phoenix Society’s World Burn Congress was an important step. There, he met many inspiring burn survivors, and shared his own first-hand experience to inspire others. “All in all, the FFBI played a huge role in my recovery and continues to support me in my journey as a burn survivor. I am forever thankful for the FFBI!”
“In July of 2010, while responding to a reported natural gas leak in Oak Park with my fellow Firefighters from Station 6, three other Firefighters and I sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns from an explosion that occurred during our investigation.
The Firefighters Burn Institute was there to support us as well as our families as soon as we were admitted to UC Davis Medical Center, during our hospitalization, and through our follow up treatment.
Because of the direct support of the Firefighters Burn Institute, as well as the indirect support they provide to UC Davis Medical Center, we received some of the best burn care available which has allowed all of us to return to full duty with the Fire Department.
On behalf of myself and my family I would like to thank the FFBI for all the hard work that you do.”
― Michael Feyh, Captain, Sacramento City Fire Department
“In December of 2008, I received a phone call that every parent fears. My son, Kyle, had been seriously burned in a kitchen accident while at the home of his father. Immediately, I got into my car and drove to my son — beating the ambulance there. During the drive there, all I could think of was whether he would be ok or not. Having lost my little girl several years prior, all those traumatic memories came to the surface. As the day progressed, however, it was quickly realized that while he could have potential scarring, he would survive. My biggest worry turned into how the scars would look. I was fearful that he would be disfigured for life. The staff in the Burn Unit at Shriners were absolutely instrumental in calming my fears and giving me hope that everything would turn out just fine. I have never met a more compassionate, competent, caring group of health professionals — ever.
Several weeks later, after his return to school, Kyle came home with an envelope. In that envelope was information regarding the Firefighters Burn Institute Kids Camp. A local firefighter who knew of Kyle’s injury had provided the school with the information. I immediately began the process to sign Kyle up to go. Kyle went to the week-long camp — his first trip away from home and came back raving about all the fun activities he did (well, okay, he raved about the food, too!). But most importantly, Kyle not only learned that he wasn’t alone and other kids have gone through what he has gone through, he has learned that people are still people, no matter what they may look like or if they are in a wheelchair or have some other disability. Kyle has made some wonderful friends and looks forward to going back again this year. The camps have provided him with a sense of hope for himself and compassion for others. I will be forever grateful for the burn institute in helping turn such a traumatic event into an incredibly positive life-changing experience.
On behalf of Kyle and the rest of our family, I would like to thank the FFBI for all the wonderful support you give, the hard work you do and especially for the wonderful, compassionate staff that you have!”
― Melinda Daugherty, Kyle’s mom