Injured Firefighter - Edgardo Garay
Donation protected
Update:
08/04/19
Edgardo Garay underwent brain surgery on Friday and is no longer in ICU, but is still being monitored closely for swelling.
*****
On July 31, 2019, Firefighter Edgardo Garay (United States Forest Service, Angeles National Forest [CA-ANF]) and his engine crew responded to an incident to render medical aid to an injured hiker. While the medevac helicopter that was going to transport the patient to the hospital was preparing to hoist the patient out, it is believed that the helicopter’s rotor wash (air turbulence caused by a helicopter rotor) knocked over a dead tree (approximately 10 inches wide) striking Firefighter Garay on the head as well as another member (Patient #2) of his engine crew. The hiker/patient was not injured by the tree.
Both engine crew members were transported to a nearby hospital via helicopter. Patient #2 suffered a concussion and received several scratches and bruises, but was released a few hours later. Firefighter Garay is currently in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is being treated for a subdural hematoma (collection of blood between the covering of the brain and the surface of the brain).
Firefighter Edgardo Garay is a graduate of the Rio Hondo College Wildland Fire Academy (Class #19), a former crew member of the Rio Hondo Roadrunners Fire Crew (C77/2016), and a current crew member on an Angeles National Forest engine crew.
Edgardo Garay is married, has a four-year-old daughter, and his wife is four months pregnant with their second child.
At this time, we are requesting assistance to help our brother in need. Any donation, small or large will be greatly appreciated and forwarded to his wife as Edgardo will not be able to work while he recovers from his injuries.
Please direct all questions to Guillermo Macias at [email redacted].
We thank you in advance for your generosity in this time of need.
08/04/19
Edgardo Garay underwent brain surgery on Friday and is no longer in ICU, but is still being monitored closely for swelling.
*****
On July 31, 2019, Firefighter Edgardo Garay (United States Forest Service, Angeles National Forest [CA-ANF]) and his engine crew responded to an incident to render medical aid to an injured hiker. While the medevac helicopter that was going to transport the patient to the hospital was preparing to hoist the patient out, it is believed that the helicopter’s rotor wash (air turbulence caused by a helicopter rotor) knocked over a dead tree (approximately 10 inches wide) striking Firefighter Garay on the head as well as another member (Patient #2) of his engine crew. The hiker/patient was not injured by the tree.
Both engine crew members were transported to a nearby hospital via helicopter. Patient #2 suffered a concussion and received several scratches and bruises, but was released a few hours later. Firefighter Garay is currently in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is being treated for a subdural hematoma (collection of blood between the covering of the brain and the surface of the brain).
Firefighter Edgardo Garay is a graduate of the Rio Hondo College Wildland Fire Academy (Class #19), a former crew member of the Rio Hondo Roadrunners Fire Crew (C77/2016), and a current crew member on an Angeles National Forest engine crew.
Edgardo Garay is married, has a four-year-old daughter, and his wife is four months pregnant with their second child.
At this time, we are requesting assistance to help our brother in need. Any donation, small or large will be greatly appreciated and forwarded to his wife as Edgardo will not be able to work while he recovers from his injuries.
Please direct all questions to Guillermo Macias at [email redacted].
We thank you in advance for your generosity in this time of need.
Organizer
Sandy Garay Diaz
Organizer
Whittier, CA