People across the Columbia Richland fire family and beyond have been sending prayers and support to a CFD recruit firefighter who was seriously injured on Saturday, January 19, 2019.
CFD Recruit Firefighter Brandon Zinn
Recruit Brandon Zinn is continuing to recover at an area hospital. According to the Columbia Police Department the 25-year-old was struck by a suspected impaired motorist while on his motorcycle at Bluff Road and I-77. The police department believes that alcohol may have played a role in what happened.
Brandon’s left leg was reportedly severed in the crash. A CPD officer who was the first to arrive on scene quickly applied a tourniquet to help stop the bleeding. Richland County EMS then rushed Brandon to the hospital where he underwent multiple surgeries for his injuries. According to his family those injuries include multiple broken bones and internal trauma.
At the time of the crash he was less than three weeks away from completing CFD recruit school. He was on his way to the CFD Training Complex Saturday morning to assist staff as they evaluated potential new hires.
Brandon is part of a 22-member recruit class that’s slated to graduate on February 7, 2019. He is also married and has a 6-month old son.
Brandon with his wife Emily and 6-month old son Charlie
To assist Brandon and his family with the expenses they will face on his long road to recovery, CFD is now working with the South Carolina State Firefighters Association Foundation.
Anyone who would like to make a tax-deductible donation in support of the Zinn family can do so by clicking here and following these instructions:
- Fill out all of your contact information on the page.
- Select ‘Assist Firefighters & Their Families’ under the part that asks where you want to designate your donation.
- Fill in the amount you would like to donate.
- Put in your payment information.
- VERY IMPORTANT!! Under the part that says ‘Add a Note,’ write ‘For Brandon Zinn.’
Checks can also be made out to the SC State Firefighters Association Foundation in support of the Zinn family. Be sure to write ‘For Brandon Zinn’ in the memo line of the check.
Members of the CFD will continue to provide support and assistance to Brandon, his friends and family and the members of his recruit class in the wake of this terrible incident.
