Deputy Fire Chief Rob Manering Relief Fund
On September 4th, 2020 our friend and Deputy Fire Chief Rob Manering was involved in life-altering accident at his home.
A serious fall, roughly 22 feet high, from a ladder. Rob landed on his back, after hitting a fence. He tried to minimize the damage by using his hands and arms to absorb the shock.
Our fire department responded to the call, as it does in these situations. This time, though, responding to aid one of our own, found to be in a dire state. Never easy.
Rob had multiple breaks and compound fractures in his arms. His right wrist was damaged badly, bones showing.
Unknown at the time, he also had other injuries.
He was rushed to Comox hospital, later moved to another hospital, then eventually to a third for surgery.
Further scans and tests slowly revealed the extent of the damage. Injuries including a back broken in two places, an unstable vertebrae, compressed disks, and fracture ribs.
Concerns stemming from leg malfunction and terrible back pain sent Rob into back surgery yesterday, September 11, 2020. Today he walked for the first time in 8 days, for a few feet.
As one of Rob’s Captains and also a First Responder, I’ve been with him on hundreds of calls over the years. At anytime of day or night, under any conditions, regardless of the nature of the call, he has always shown outmost selflessness. Time and time again, Rob has been there.
Today it is our turn to be there for him and his family.
Aside from being Deputy Chief at our local volunteer fire department, Rob is also master builder and carpenter by trade.
Given the extent of his injuries, Rob has a daunting amount of recovery and rehabilitation to go through before ever being able to swing a hammer or climb a ladder again.
Although it is too early to speculate about actual recovery times for his extensive injuries, we suspect months and possibly even years.
We are asking for help from our friends and communities to support Rob and his family over the next 12 months and to help cover basic needs while he recovers.
