A Chelmsford firefighter was seriously injured Tuesday after falling from a building at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy in Stow.
The Chelmsford Fire Department said in a statement on Facebook Tuesday afternoon that the firefighter “suffered serious injuries” after he fell from a burn building at the academy’s Stow campus.
“He is currently being treated at UMass Memorial Medical Center, where Chelmsford Fire personnel are present to support him and his loved ones. At the specific request of his family, his name is not being released at this time,” said the Chelmsford Fire Department. “All of us at Chelmsford FD are holding him in our prayers. We also wish to extend our thanks to the Academy staff and Fire/EMS personnel from Stow, Sudbury, and Life Flight who provided immediate, professional medical care at the scene and in transport.”
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services spokesperson Jake Wark said the injured firefighter is a member of the academy’s support staff for training exercises.
“At about 9:30 this morning, a member of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy support staff suffered serious injuries in a fall from the Stow campus burn building while preparing for recruit training,” Wark said in a statement. “Academy personnel, many of whom are EMTs and paramedics, immediately began providing medical aid and called 9-1-1. The Stow and Sudbury fire departments responded moments later and transported the staff member to an area hospital, where he is currently being treated.”
In Facebook post Tuesday, DFS said “we are deeply grateful to all the staff who took immediate action to provide medical aid and notified 9-1-1, and to Stow and Sudbury first responders.”
“We ask that you please spare a thought and a prayer for him, his family, and his brother and sister firefighters,” the post said.
Stow Fire Chief Barry Evers said the firefighter fell from a fourth-story window during a routine training exercise.
“We were called to the scene, and due to the extent of his injuries we called in a helicopter, but they were not flying today due to the weather,” said Evers. “He is currently at UMass Medical and Trauma Center in Worcester, where he has life-threatening injuries.”
Evers said the incident is still under investigation.