Miami-Dade firefighter injured during training

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Family members and co-workers are at the bedside of a Miami-Dade Firefighter who had to be airlifted to the hospital after being burned during a training exercise.

According to his colleagues, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Lt. Kevin McCrae was preparing for an exercise at around 10:30 a.m., Friday at the Miami-Dade Training Center located at Northwest 41st Street and 93rd Avenue in Doral. He was connecting some hoses to a superficial car they use for training. They think one of those hoses may have backfired, ignited propane gas in the air and sparked a flash fire that burned McCrae's face and arms.

Paramedics airlifted McCrae to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Doctors have not released details of his injuries, but Chuck McCrae, the victim's brother, said he at least appeared in good spirits. "He was joking," he said. "He's always been a jokester, so he started cracking jokes,

McCrae also said he has not bothered his brother for details as to what happened, yet. "I didn't ask him about it," he said. "When I went in, I didn't want to put him under no stress."

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Capt. Louie Fernandez recalled what it feels like to spring into action to help one of your own. "You become focused on treating, and you become focused on providing life-saving aid," he said, "and that's what they were doing. As minutes passed, and the helicopter lifted off, the toll took affect."

McCrae is in serious but stable condition. He is an 11-year veteran with MDFR and has been training at that Doral center for the past three years. Officials will investigate what may have gone wrong.

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