Upstate firefighter back at work after injury

ENOREE, S.C. (WSPA) – After five surgeries in just 95 days, one Upstate firefighter has an inspiring story of perseverance, and has returned back to the station.

The firetruck Bailey Williamson was driving collided with an 18-wheeler near I-26 while he and his partner were responding to an emergency.

“When we got down there to the interstate I could see the truck start to pull out and I tried to stop as best I could and I looked over at my partner in the truck with me and told him there was just nothing I could do, to brace for impact,” said Firefighter Bailey Williamson.

He said that is the last thing he remembers clearly from that day.

Williamson’s injuries included a broken ankle, knee cap, femur and tibia. He said his foot went through the floorboard of the truck, and doctors had to reconstruct his left calf. Luckily his partner, Bruce Cramer was with him that day.

He said Cramer created a make-shift tourniquet out of triangular bandages and a stick he found near by. Doctors told him that is most likely what saved his life.

Firefighter Bruce Cramer explained, “It was tough but I didn’t have to think about it. My training kicked in and I just…even though it was one of my guys I did my job and it was tough.”

Williamson said, “We say all the time that fire departments are like a family but it’s not just a saying, it really is. You know these guys here, they did a lot for me and I don’t know how I could ever repay them if I could.”

Although it was not easy, Williamson returned to the Trinity Fire Department just 95 days later. He said it was because of the overwhelming support he felt from his wife, young children and his fire crew.

“Coming back to work my first day back, it was really emotional because the last time I had work you know, there’s no easy way to say it but I almost lost my life that day,” he said.

He explained some days were harder than others, but it was his drive and passion for the job that helped him see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“I love the job. I’ve done it for coming up on 10 years and it’s all I know. I love the thrill of it and I love getting out and helping my community, it’s truly all I’ve ever known. If I had to leave this job, it would be like a part of my heart left me,” Williamson said.

He said at this point, he is not sure if he will be able to be a fireman again, but he is thankful to be back working at the station and helping out with computer work.

And as if getting through this was not enough for him, while he was in the hospital he re-enrolled to college in hopes of earning his bachelors degree.

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