Firefighter Who Was Burned Returns to Full-Time Duty in the Field

      A Beaumont firefighter who was injured on the job eight months ago has been allowed back on the fire engine.

      Cody Schroeder was one of six firefighters injured in a house fire on Neches near Emma Street in North Beaumont last December. He received burns to 40 percent of his body.       

     After months of recovery and rehabilitation Cody Schroeder's doctor has allowed him to return to work full time. Cody Schroeder has been working at fire station number one on light duty. According to his doctors, Schroeder recovered 8 months earlier than expected. The fire chief wants Schroeder to transition back into the job. He's assigned to Engine Number One. 

     An extra man will ride engine one with Schroeder during this transition period. 

     The department began running drills this afternoon to give Schroeder a chance to try moving around in bunker gear and doing regular activities.

     "He went through a really traumatic experience. We want to be sensitive to that and get him through the transition in the best way possible," said Fire Chief Anne Huff.

     "It's been ups and downs. You hit those ruts. I've had 6 surgeries now and you get knocked down after surgery for a couple weeks but you get back up. I'm back. That's all that matters," said Cody Schroeder.

     Schroeder says his family helped him get through the last eight months of surgeries and therapy. He says most of all he's happy that he can run around again and spend time with his three year old daughter.