Photos: Severely Burned PA FF Discharged from Rehab Center

Little did Shawn Menear know when he left Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia mid-day Wednesday he would be greeted to a hero’s welcome.

About 100 fire trucks participated in a procession to the Middletown Volunteer Fire Department firefighter’s home along Ulrich Street in Royalton, Dauphin County. An oversized “Welcome Home Shawn” sign decorated Menear’s front yard.

Dozens of family, friends and fire personnel gathered in a show of support, applauding Menear as he arrived home.

“It feels great. I’m so ready for this,” said Menear, who fought back tears. “I’ve got a long road yet ahead of me, but I know I have so many people behind me. We’ll make it. We’ll be good.”

Menear suffered third-degree burns and other injuries while trying to save a 67-year-old man who ultimately died in a Jan. 23 house fire in Royalton. He had been a patient at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and was transferred to Magee.

Members of the Middletown department were on hand earlier in the day at Magee when Menear was released and escorted him on the 2-hour drive home. Other departments were involved in the procession at various points, including manning overpasses to salute their injured colleague.

“What we do in the fire service, we’re one big family,” said Jason Seymour, station captain for the Pennsylvania National Guard Fire Department, Dauphin County Station No. 71. “That’s why we’re here to show our support.”

Unfortunately, he said fighting fires comes with an inherent danger, despite the many hours of training firefighters receive.

Those close to Menear including his uncle, Charlie Boughter of Highspire, said they are grateful Menear is back home after weeks of surgeries and rehabilitation. He said his nephew’s injuries were so severe he couldn’t hug or shake his hands during visits at the rehab facility.

“You see all this stuff on TV and you just really don’t grasp how badly burned he was,” Boughter said, adding Menear “kissed death in the face.”

Menear and three other firefighters became trapped inside the burning home when the second floor collapsed, prompting a mayday signal and county-wide emergency rescue response. Middletown fire officials said Menear was trapped for about 40 minutes while firefighters used saws to cut through debris and free him.

On Wednesday, family and friends hugged Menear as he made his way through the crowd to greet everyone.

Matt Shriner, a childhood friend who lives in New Cumberland, said Menear texted him Tuesday night to tell him he was leaving rehab the next day. Shriner described Meaner as one of the kindest people he has ever met.

“He’s very, very dedicated. He would give you the shirt off his back if he could,” he said.

Menear said he was overwhelmed by Wednesday’s welcoming. When asked if he would return to firefighting, he said he has a couple more months to recover and will definitely be back. He said he misses the people and community the most, adding: “It’s what it’s all about.”

©2022 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit pennlive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.