The Leader's Toolbox: The Residual Impact of Firefighter Injuries & Deaths

Dr. Richard B. Gasaway talks with Winninpeg Firefighter Lionel Crowther and his wife, Joanna, about the long-term impact on firefighters who were involved in incidents where firefighter's were either seriously injured of lost their lives in the line-of-duty.

Lionel, a senior firefighter/paramedic with Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, was seriously injured in a house fire on Gabrielle Roy Pl. on Feb. 4, 2007. The fire claimed the lives of Capt. Thomas Nichols and Capt. Harold Lessard. Three other firefighters were injured.

Lionel tells the gripping story of the tragic day. It began as on overtime shift and, as  his crew gathered to watch the Super Bowl, the alarm came in. He walks the listeners through the incdident and shares how a flashover forced several firefighters to flea the structure. 

Lionel's wife, Joanna, also joins the podcast to share how she was notified and what she found when she arrived at the hospital. 

The two share the story of the first few weeks of the recovery process and tell of the many challenges they faced following Lionel's close call.