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Volunteer Prince George's County, Maryland Fire Captain Released From Hospital

Feb. 2, 2005

Just after 11:00 AM, Tuesday, February 2, 2005, Joe Johnson walked out of the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH).

Volunteer Captain Joe Johnson and Acting Fire Chief Lawrence Sedgwick, Jr. leave the rehabilitation hospital Wednesday after speaking with reporters. Johnson told reporters, 'I intend to return to duty as a firefighter.' — Volunteer Captain Joe Johnson and Acting Fire Chief Lawrence Sedgwick, Jr. leave the rehabilitation hospital Wednesday after speaking with reporters. Johnson told reporters, "I intend to return to duty as a firefighter."

Just after 11:00 AM, Tuesday, February 2, 2005, Joe Johnson walked out of the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH), according to a Prince George's County Government press release.

Today was the 53rd day since he was critically injured battling a Seat Pleasant house fire. Family, friends and colleagues joined him when he walked out of the hospital and on-board Engine 81 from the Seat Pleasant Fire/EMS Station 8.

This symbolic gesture brought closure to the incident in which Johnson was injured.

The first stop after leaving the hospital was at one of his favorite restaurants, Cluck-U-Chiken in District Heights and then onto the Seat Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department where Johnson is a Volunteer Captain.

He is expected to undergo six weeks of five days-a-week physical therapy at NRH. His date to return to duty is yet unknown.