Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Lieutenant Suffers Severe Burns, Begins Recovery Journey

Something went terribly wrong on November 18, 2011, when Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Lt. Kevin McCrea was leading a fire demonstration for a group of Brazilian firefighters.

“We were setting up a routine car fire extinguish, when a spark flashed into flames,” McCrea said. “I don’t remember much, only waking up at Ryder Trauma Center. I had lost my vision and remember feeling so much pain.”

The fire rescue lieutenant suffered severe burns to 40 percent of his body, though he recovered his vision 48 hours after the incident. He remained in the intensive care unit at the Miami Burn Center in the trauma facility for more than a month, before being discharged home.

With burns to his face, arms, hands, legs and back, Kevin McCrea underwent six surgeries, including skin grafts and cutting off the nerves in his hands. His medical team included highly skilled trauma surgeons and nurses who specialize in complex burn care.

Even though McCrea’s burn wounds healed, his journey to recovery was far from over. For two years, he endured outpatient occupational therapy at Ryder Trauma Center to regain use of his hands. He contributed his success to occupational therapist Angel Alvarez, who specializes in treating patients with burn injuries.

“I couldn’t even open a bottle, but thanks to my therapist’s persistence, I stayed motivated,” McCrea said. “He would push me to the limit, and created an environment in the gym in which all survivors encourage each other.”

McCrea has also worked very hard to heal the emotional wounds caused by the trauma of his burn injuries. For the past five years, he has been an active member of the Miami Burn Center’s support group for burn patients. Led by psychologist Mary Ishii, the support group provides burn survivors with a safe place to socialize and discuss issues of interest, as well as express concerns or issues they may face related to their injuries.

“I saw myself differently after the burns, and for a while it affected me emotionally,” McCrea said. “I’m so grateful to this support group. They have become my family.”

No longer can Miami Fire Rescue Lt. Kevin McCrea battle blazes. His injuries and his long battle to recover have left him sensitive to heat. He was able to return to work where he is now a driving training instructor.

As he goes about his daily activities, he is reminded of his burn injuries and how much he has struggled and continues to adjust. His new normal includes massaging and stretching the skin on his arms, and wearing lotion and sunscreen.

Despite his difficult journey over the past five years, McCrea feels grateful that he has gotten a second chance at life.

“My wounds are my journey. It’s my story; it’s my life,” McCrea said. “I’m a survivor, and I appreciate life more.”