Student Injured at NY Fire Academy Where Recruit Died

Oct. 7, 2021
A DeWitt firefighter was injured after falling from a ladder in training at the New York State Fire Academy, where Peyton L. Morse died earlier this year.

A fir recruit was injured while training during "Hell Week" evolutions at the New York State Fire Academy where a recruit suffered fatal injuries during training earlier this year.

The DeWitt Fire Department recruit suffered a fractured arm while taking part in bailout training, according to NNY360.com.

DeWitt Fire Chief Jason C. Green told the television station that he could not discuss the injuries or training during the on-going investigation, but confirmed his firefighter was hurt.

The recruit was entangled in a ladder and fell, a source told the television station.

“We’ll work with the fire academy to find solutions or if they need to be fixed,” said Green. “All the problems have to be fixed or addressed.”

The recruit was a member of the first training class since Watertown fire recruit Peyton L. Morse died after he fell ill during training at the Montour Falls facility on March 5. Morse, 21, died nine days later in a Sayre, PA, hospital. 

Green said the recruit had to drop out of the academy due to the injured, but will return for training once he is cleared.

“He’ll make a full recovery and we look forward to getting him on a rig,” Green said.

Watertown Fire Chief Matthew R. Timerman told the television station that he wants the investigation into the injury to be taken seriously by state officials. 

“The recent injury definitely deepens my concerns about what’s going on at the academy,” said Timerman.

Timmerman has been vocal about the need to conduct a complete investigation into Morse's death.

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