Severely burned Martin County firefighter gets good news following surgery

UPDATE: From the Martin County Firefighters Facebook page:

It is indeed a good News Year's Eve! Jahwann is out of surgery and he did great. In fact the surgeons have reported that he should have the full use of his hands when he is healed. This is truly amazing news. Let's keep this positive energy flowing and get Jahwann back on his feet ASAP!
 

EARLIER STORY:

MARTIN COUNTY — The 22-year-old Martin County firefighter severely burned while battling a house fire last week underwent surgery Monday.

Jahwann McIntyre, who is listed in critical but stable condition at Jackson Memorial Burn Unit in Miami, had skin graft surgery to his hands said Fire Rescue Lt. John Davidson, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2959.

The surgery was successful and surgeons say McIntyre should regain full use of his hands, according to the latest update on the Martin County Firefighters Facebook page.

In addition to his hands, McIntyre was burned on his chin, thighs, abdomen and feet, totaling more than 50 percent of his body, Davidson said.

"This is obviously going to be a long term recovery for him," said Davidson, a 25 year-veteran firefighter. "He will be on a respirator for the next coming days."

McIntyre, who is not married and does not have children, was one of three firefighters injured Dec. 27 in the early morning house fire at 1151 S.W. Bluewater Way in western Martin County.

A second injured firefighter was treated at the scene and a third was treated and released from Martin Medical Center. The identities of those firefighters from Station 23, 4181 S.W. Kanner Highway, or a cause of the fire had not been released on Monday, said Division Chief Dan Wouters.

McIntyre, who has been with the fire department for less than a year, and his family have received an "overwhelming" amount of support from Treasure Coast and from Miami area firefighters, Davidson said.

Since the Thursday fire, nearly 400 firefighters from Martin County and South Florida have traveled to the Miami hospital to offer support.

On Saturday, Miami Beach firefighters held a carwash fundraiser for Jahwann, he said.

Becoming a firefighter was McIntyre's childhood dream and he put himself through paramedic school and firefighter school, Davidson said.

McIntyre also was a reserve firefighter for the county to get experience, he said.

When firefighters at Station 23 received the 2:19 a.m. Thursday call for the fire, McIntyre was dressed and ready to go in 30 seconds, Davidson said.

"This kid was always hyped up and ready to do something," he said.

Two minutes after arriving on scene, conditions rapidly deteriorated and the firefighters were overcome by intense heat and initiated a "mayday" call. They were rescued by fellow firefighters.

The home was determined to be unoccupied.

To Help

Donations for McIntyre can be sent to:

Martin County Firefighters, P.O. Box 469, Palm City, Fl. 34991

Write Jahwann McIntyre in the memo line of the check.

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