Alameda County firefighter injured in Corral Fire faces 2nd surgery

The Alameda County Fire Department is hoping to raise money for one of its firefighters who was seriously injured while battling the Corral Fire.

Brandon Franco, a 22-year-veteran firefighter, suffered burns to multiple parts of his body while battling a fast-moving grass fire near Tracy on June 1, according to a GoFundMe.

He is being treated in the burn unit at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose where he has already undergone one operation.  

A second surgery is scheduled for Thursday. 

Franco said he's suffering 2nd and 3rd degree burns to mainly the left side of his body, face and leg. 

Still, he remained upbeat, "I'm alive. I can walk. My airways are good. I can talk.  My eyesight didn't get damaged.  I can see. I'm able to recover," said Blanco.

He advises other firefighters, "Just beware of how fast things can change because it caught me off guard.  It can catch someone else off guard too," said the 43-year-old. 

Franco said he's deeply grateful, "to all the fellow firefighters here in the Bay Area who've come by my side and helped me through all of this.  A lot of them I've never met before. They're here for me." 

He said firefighters and first responders from various agencies have offered help, including San Jose Firefighters Local 230, Santa Clara County Firefighters, Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Foundation, Cal Fire Local 2881, and Newark Police Association. 

When asked if he plans to go back to firefighting, Franco replied, "Absolutely, I'm going back for sure. I want to be back before the end of the fire season. We'll see how everything heals up."

The Gofundme, organized by ACFFA L55, said the money will be used to cover essential supplies to manage his ranch during his recovery. 

If you're interested in helping, click here.