Injured Manchester Fire Capt. Steve DesRuisseaux Escorted Home

MANCHESTER, NH — Manchester Fire Capt. Steve DesRuisseaux was flown to a Boston Hospital on Nov. 6, after being seriously burned on over 40 percent of his body.

Firefighters arrived at a multi-unit building with heavy fire on Dutton Street and had several people trapped on the upper floors of the three-story building.

While DesRuisseaux and his crew from Truck 1 were making rescues the fire flashed, and engulfed DesRuisseaux in flames while on top of the ground ladder. Equipment from DesRuisseaux’s breathing apparatus got caught on the ladder and he could not evacuate. Firefighter Josh Charpentier at the base of the ladder pushed the ladder to the ground bringing Lt. Scott Brassard and DesRuisseaux to the ground.

Crews immediately extinguished the fire on DesRuisseaux, provided medical aid, and transported him to the Elliot Hospital. He was flown to the Massachusetts General Hospital for specialized treatment of his burns.

While being treated at Massachusetts General Hospital, DesRuisseaux had three major surgeries to remove damaged skin and perform skin grafts to cover his wounds. One surgery lasted for nearly eight hours.

DesRuisseaux’s wife and two children Jack and Megan spent 23 days at the hospital while he received treatments.

Manchester Professional Firefighters IAFF 856 immediately began to coordinate support for his family with Boston Fire Fighter Local 718, and the Firefighter Burn Foundation.

Hotel accommodations, meals, and financial support were immediately available to members of DesRuisseaux’s family.

While DesRuisseaux received treatment in the hospital, Jack, his 17-year-old son had several scheduled hockey games. Members of local fire departments showed overwhelming support showing up to all of his hockey games to cheer him on.

On Monday, DesRuisseaux was released from Mass. General Hospital when outside of the Hospital firefighters from Manchester and Boston lined up as he was transferred to a vehicle for the ride home.

Manchester Engine 11, the company that DesRuisseaux is Captain, Boston Fire, and Massachusetts State Police escorted him and his family to the highway.

DesRuisseaux was escorted up interstate 93 to the New Hampshire state line where New Hampshire State Troopers, Manchester Police, and Londonderry Police escorted him to his westside home in Manchester.

When the vehicles arrived in the neighborhood of DesRuisseaux's house firefighters, police, and Sheriffs lined the street applauding as he arrived.

As he stood on the lawn of his house he gave an emotional speech saying “Your support and your generosity have been overwhelming to me,” he said after getting out of the front seat of the passenger car, which arrived with police motorcycle and fire-engine escort. “Everything you’ve done for my family, I cannot repay it.”

After thanking his wife for all of her support, he said I can’t wait to get back on the line with all you guys,” he said as his voice started to break. “I just love what I do. I love all you guys.”