Rehab Keeps Pennsylvania Firefighter Busy after Burn Injuries

CHAMBERSBURG – A life-changing event that left him burned and hospitalized has not stopped Jason Kuehler from fighting — this time, for a quick recovery.

Kuehler, an assistant fire chief at the Franklin Fire Company in Chambersburg and professional firefighter with the Alexandria, Va. fire department, was severely burned in a Hamilton Township mobile home fire March 19.

In the months that have followed, Kuehler has undergone several surgeries and skin grafts to heal the burns that covered 33 percent of his body.

The Kuehler family has settled into a therapy schedule since Jason was released from Johns Hopkins Bayview Burn Center in April. It includes twice a week physical therapy sessions in Baltimore and once a week sessions with a hand specialist in Carlisle.

“He’s doing really good with his endurance. They have him on the treadmill and running,” said Dana Kuehler, Jason’s wife.

Jason is currently working on his core strength and grip strength in his left hand, she said.

It has only been in the past couple weeks that Jason has been able to lift his two small children — Andrew and Gabriella — who both weigh less than 45 pounds, Dana said.

In addition, when he started therapy with the hand specialist, his grip strength was only 35 pounds and Jason is now up to 95 pounds, she said.

Jason still has to wear his pressure garments, which cover everything but his neck, head and right hand, as they help with the healing process and circulation, Dana said.

“He’s progressing pretty well. I know from talking to him recently, he’s actually ahead of the game,” said Tim Ebersole, captain at Franklin Fire Company.

Despite his progress though, doctors believe that Jason will not be able to return to work until at least early 2012, Dana said.

“He is working very hard, very hard to try to get back to work as soon as he can. His main priority getting back to work is he has a family to take care of,” said Jeremy Rebok, deputy chief of Franklin Fire Company.

With Jason unable to return to work, the family is faced with a lot of financial responsibilities related to his medical expenses.

However, they are receiving a great deal of support from friends, family and the community, such as the spaghetti dinner hosted by the MOMS Club of Chambersburg West in May, which raised about $4,650 for the family. There is an upcoming golf tournament fundraiser sponsored by the Franklin Fire Company in August.

Dana said they have been “totally overwhelmed” by the amount of support they are still receiving months after the accident happened.

“It’s just incredible … the fact that people are still thinking about us,” she said. “Hopefully some day we’ll be able to pay it forward to other people.”

Despite the event, Jason is coming along well, Dana said.

“It’s nice to go out and do family things now and forget that anything happened,” she said.