INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Indian River County Firefighter/EMT Dustin Hawkins was injured May 8 in a fire stemming from mechanical work he was performing on a fire boat, Indian River County Fire Rescue released Monday.
Hawkins, 31, was initially taken to Lawnwood Regional Trauma Center and was later transferred to the Orlando Regional Medical Center where he is in stable condition.
According to Fire Rescue, Hawkins was performing work on the 27-foot Boston Whaler at Station #2 on the east end of the Barber Bridge in Vero Beach when a fire sparked. Hawkins received burns to his forearms, neck and face.
Other firefighters at the station extinguished the flames and paramedics treated Hawkins.
Hawkins joined Indian River Fire Rescue on Feb. 18, 2003.
Members of Indian River Fire Rescue have been speaking with both Hawkins and his family on a daily basis, according to the agency.
“Indian River County Fire Rescue wishes Firefighter Hawkins a speedy recovery,” the agency said in a prepared statement.