Macon-Bibb County Battalion Chief Stephen Stafford leaves Augusta hospital

Stafford was among six firefighters who fell through the floor of a burning Fairview home on March 11.

Hospital staff, Augusta Firefighters, and Emergency Management Agency members cheered as Stafford left Augusta’s Doctors Hospital.

“It was just so gratifying to know that people were actually thinking about you, people that you wouldn’t think that you would be on their minds,” says Stafford. “It’s just heart warming.”

Stafford suffered severe burns fighting the fatal fire.

Macon-Bibb County Fire Chief Marvin Riggins said the the upper level of the house collapsed causing firefighters to fall down into the basement. Lt. Randy Parker was the first firefighter to fall.

“Lieutenant Parker was entrapped more than 30 minutes. He was in a very horrific environment,” explained Riggins. 

Despite efforts to save him, Lt. Parker died. Five other firefighters were also injured in the fire. 

Capt. Ferrell Cromer, Corp. Adam Michie, and Battalion Chief Stafford were taken to Doctors Hospital in Augusta. Michie and Cromer were released from the Augusta hospital on Feb. 13.

“Chief Stafford has encountered a tough physical battle,” said Augusta Fire Department spokesperson Dee Griffin.

Privates Ben Bollinger and Matt Couey were sent to Navicent Health and released shortly after.