WOOD RIVER -- Being a firefighter means trusting others with your life, and that trust creates a bond stronger than family ties.
"The brotherhood of fire service creates not just a friend but a family member," said Nick Lammers, Wood River fire rescue captain.
Firefighters treat each other the same way they would treat a blood relative, he said, and that connection has caused firefighters to keep a constant vigil for Capt. Kenny Woitalewicz at St. Francis Medical Center.
They wait for word on a change in Woitalewicz's condition, which remained critical Monday afternoon.
"There's always been a Wood River fireman at the hospital since this happened, and there always will be," Lammers said. "We're basically here to support the families. You need people around you when these things happen."
Lammers has been with the volunteer department since 1980 and has worked with Woitalewicz since he joined approximately 15 years ago.
Woitalewicz was injured Saturday morning when he responded to a house fire at 211 W. 12th St. in Wood River. The fire killed veteran Wood River firefighter Capt. Robert "Bobby" Heminger, 39, and one of the home's residents, Anna M. "Annie" Carrig, 73.
Woitalewicz and Heminger had entered the home to rescue Carrig when part of the structure collapsed on them. Carrig was pronounced dead at the scene, and Heminger died Sunday morning at St. Francis.
Lammers said there are 20 to 25 volunteer firefighters with the Wood River Rural Fire Department, and at any given time since Saturday, there have been 10 to 12 firefighters and their spouses at the hospital.
"We've made a vow that someone will always be here," he said. "We're hoping and praying."
Those prayers are for Woitalewicz, a man Lammers described as dedicated and full of life, his wife, Melissa, and their two young sons.
"Everybody knows Kenny," he said. "You can't live in Wood River and not know Kenny. You could dial any number in the Wood River phone book, and they could tell you about him."
Woitalewicz is the type of person who would give someone the shirt off his back. He's always willing to help with anything his fellow Wood River residents need, such as moving furniture or giving someone a ride to Omaha.
"Because of that, he's always busy," Lammers said. "Kenny loves to get things going."
Wood River Fire Chief Roger Derr said Woitalewicz takes his firefighting duties very seriously and has always been eager to learn. He said Woitalewicz is a captain who leads a team into a building, which is what he was doing Saturday morning.
He's also the department's engineer and keeps track of vehicle maintenance.
Woitalewicz, who works at Fairbanks Irrigation, worked for Derr at one time as well. Derr said he helped out by driving a tractor and discing fields.
"You can always count on Kenny," he said. "He's always friendly. My gosh, he's friendly."
In addition to lending their support to the Woitalewicz family, Derr said the firefighters are also helping Heminger's family plan his funeral.
On Monday, a number of Grand Island firefighters had stopped by the St. Francis intensive care unit waiting room after the funeral for Arthur "Pooch" Gulzow, Derr said.
Grand Island firefighter Mark Bonser was one of the men who checked on Woitalewicz Monday afternoon. He said there were at least 50 firefighters in full dress uniforms in the waiting room.
To extend support beyond the well wishes and hugs, the firefighters, with help from Wood River Mayor John Webster, have set up a fund for the families.
Bonser said the Wood River Firefighters' Family Relief Fund will be used to help the Woitalewicz and Heminger families pay a wide range of bills.
"Bob will no longer be able to provide, and the bills will keep coming in," Bonser said of Heminger.
Since Woitalewicz was seriously injured as well, the donations made to the fund will be divided between the two families, he said.
"It's going to be a long road," Bonser said, "and we want to be there for them."
