By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Chaise Dawson, the Convoy, Ohio, firefighter who was severely burned in an April 8 house fire, is now recuperating at home.
Dawson received a warm welcome from fellow first-responders, family and friends at Convoy park on Tuesday.
“The surprise gathering was a truly amazing experience,” his wife, Olivia McKeddie, said. She is an EMT with Convoy fire department and EMS.
Dawson was provided a home wound vac and will be returning to the burn unit of Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis next Monday for what is expected to be many followup appointments.
“He is thrilled to be back home with his family,” Olivia said in a statement posted on Facebook. “We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who came out to support Chaise’s homecoming today, as well as those who have offered prayers and ongoing support. We feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful community in our lives!”
She added that while he has made significant recovery, “he still has a long journey ahead of him.”
Dawson and another Convoy firefighter, Jake Hicks, were inside a burning home when the fire flashed behind them. Dawson suffered third-degree burns on his right arm and shoulder, back, neck and ear.
He was taken to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, then sent on to the Eskenazi Hospital burn unit. Last Monday (April 14) he underwent a 90-minute surgery that involved some skin grafting.
The house fire occurred in the 4500 block of Lare Road, Tully Township, in Van Wert County, Ohio. Mutual aid was provided by Monroeville, Wren, Payne and Van Wert departments.
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