SeaBreeze
04-22-2006, 07:52 PM
Oklahoma Firefighter Dies of Burns
SUSAN NICOL KYLE
Firehouse.com News
Funeral services are set for Thursday for an Oklahoma firefighter who died Friday of burns and injuries sustained earlier this month in a wildfire.
Destry Horton, 32, a career firefighter with the City of Chickasha Fire and EMS, was seriously burned on March 1 when his fire truck became stuck in the midst of a wildfire.
He was volunteering with the Acme Vol. Fire when the incident occurred near Duncan. The roaring wildfires were being fanned by strong winds associated with a weather front, said Chickasha Chief Ronnie Kessler.
Another firefighter, Larry Crabb, who was riding on the outside of the truck, also suffered burns. But, he hiked out to find help for Horton. "The smoke was so thick, he (Crabb) couldn’t see. He had to locate them by voice."
"As a paramedic, Destry knew what was going on. Before they inserted the airway, he was able to say he loved his wife and daughters."
Horton was originally taken to Duncan Hospital, but was later flown to Baptist Burn Center in Oklahoma City.
"The doctors said the burns were they worst they'd ever seen," Kessler said. Doctors had to amputate both of Horton's arms.
Horton, who started as a career firefighter in Chickasha in 1999, was recently promoted to driver. In addition to being a paramedic, he also was a HAZMAT technician and a member of the department’s HAZMAT team. "He was a really great guy..."
He is the first firefighter in the department to die in the line of duty. Flags are at half mast in his honor.
Visitation will be held at Callaway, Smith, Cobb Funeral Home in Rush Springs from 1 p.m. Tuesday through 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. Thursday, March 30 at Grand Assembly Church of God.
Departments wanting additional information should contact the Chickasha Fire and EMS at 405-222-6030.
http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/article.jsp?sectionId=39&id=48369
SUSAN NICOL KYLE
Firehouse.com News
Funeral services are set for Thursday for an Oklahoma firefighter who died Friday of burns and injuries sustained earlier this month in a wildfire.
Destry Horton, 32, a career firefighter with the City of Chickasha Fire and EMS, was seriously burned on March 1 when his fire truck became stuck in the midst of a wildfire.
He was volunteering with the Acme Vol. Fire when the incident occurred near Duncan. The roaring wildfires were being fanned by strong winds associated with a weather front, said Chickasha Chief Ronnie Kessler.
Another firefighter, Larry Crabb, who was riding on the outside of the truck, also suffered burns. But, he hiked out to find help for Horton. "The smoke was so thick, he (Crabb) couldn’t see. He had to locate them by voice."
"As a paramedic, Destry knew what was going on. Before they inserted the airway, he was able to say he loved his wife and daughters."
Horton was originally taken to Duncan Hospital, but was later flown to Baptist Burn Center in Oklahoma City.
"The doctors said the burns were they worst they'd ever seen," Kessler said. Doctors had to amputate both of Horton's arms.
Horton, who started as a career firefighter in Chickasha in 1999, was recently promoted to driver. In addition to being a paramedic, he also was a HAZMAT technician and a member of the department’s HAZMAT team. "He was a really great guy..."
He is the first firefighter in the department to die in the line of duty. Flags are at half mast in his honor.
Visitation will be held at Callaway, Smith, Cobb Funeral Home in Rush Springs from 1 p.m. Tuesday through 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. Thursday, March 30 at Grand Assembly Church of God.
Departments wanting additional information should contact the Chickasha Fire and EMS at 405-222-6030.
http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/article.jsp?sectionId=39&id=48369