Treatment of firefighter was done properly

Stacy Carpenter
Published: April 28, 2008

My letter is in response to Mr. Grant’s letter about the firefighter getting burned (“Firefighter should have had burns properly treated,” April 21).

First, let me say I was the incident commander of this particular fire. When the issue was brought to my attention, the firefighter in question was immediately removed from the incident and sent to be checked out by the medics on scene.

Secondly, the law allows a person to refuse treatment and transport, which was the case when it was determined the firefighter had a first-degree burn.

Do you go to the doctor every time you get sunburn? A first degree burn is the same. There are three degrees associated with burns, first degree being the lesser of them.

If there are any other questions the Star-Exponent can get in touch with me and I will be glad to try and answer them.

Stacy Carpenter
Chief, Culpeper Vol. Fire Dept.