South Lake Tahoe rolls out red carpet for volunteer firefighter burned in Caldor Fire

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On August 28, 2021, West Stanislaus Fire Protection District volunteer firefighter Richard Gerety was part of a strike team working on the Caldor Fire. He was above a dozer line about a mile south of Strawberry on Pack Saddle Pass, pumping water when the ground gave way. He fell into a deep stump hole that was filled with hot ash.

Gerety was transported to the hospital with 2nd and 3rd degree burns on about 20 percent of his body. His hands, arms, legs were all burned. He learned too quickly what a "10" pain level was.

For the following 33 days, Gerety was hospitalized at the UC Davis Burn Center where he underwent skin grafts and started the road to recovery.

Gerety has been back home in Patterson, California for the last four months with his wife Jennifer and their three-year-old son, Richard IV.

Now the couple is in South Lake Tahoe for a long weekend, courtesy of an appreciative community.

Brian Williams, a long-time local and owner of Media West, wanted to make shirts for the firefighters who worked on the Caldor. He was with Jerry Bond, another longtime local and businessman as they tried to find a way to get it done. That idea didn't evolve, but Brian and Jerry developed an idea to celebrate one firefighter as a symbol of what all of Caldor firefighters meant to the community as they defended it against the raging flames. They knew of Gerety and worked through the Reno Fire Department since its chief was the chief of Gerety's strike team.

They invited Jennifer and Richard Gerety to South Lake Tahoe, with Jerry Bindell, GM of Forest Suites, getting their lodging taken care of, Harrah's Tahoe providing dinners at Friday's Station and Safori, and tickets to the show Saturday, and rides up the Gondola.

Williams contacted South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR), and they are treating the couple to dinner at the fire station Saturday.

"This is something that the crew and I are honored to do for him,' said SLTFR Captain Tyler Jack of the lunch they have planned this weekend for Richard and Jennifer. "He sacrificed and put himself in harm's way for our community, this is the least we can do. "We are honored to do it."

Richard and Jennifer are very appreciative of what all the community has done for them.

"There has been an outpouring of support at home, but to also have it from South Lake Tahoe really means a lot," said Richard. "Thank you to everyone who is part of this. We are very appreciative."

Richard has at least one more surgery waiting for him back home. He'll get more skin grafts on the palms of his hands. He wears compression sleeves on his legs and arms that aid in his recuperation.

He is back to work at Belkorp Ag in Modesto, not as the mechanic that he once was due to his injuries, but he is now set up supervisor for the John Deere farm equipment company. Richard is also back at the firehouse.

He is not ready for fighting fires, but coming from a long line of firemen, he enjoys being back in the firehouse. He helps with training duties and other jobs now but looking forward to being able to respond as a volunteer firefighter again.

Richard and Jennifer have been married for five years and celebrate their anniversary every November in South Lake Tahoe. Back home days are full with their toddler and they're welcoming this treat at the lake while grandma watches their son.

When asked how Richard IV reacted to dad's injuries, they said he has been very gentle and helps apply lotions to "lots of owies." Dad's pain level has gone from that 10 to a 0-1 today.