Firefighter Healing from 4 Gunshot Wounds to Help Charities

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The Morningside firefighter who was shot four times during a 911 call that killed another firefighter is asking that donations in his name go to charities.

Morningside Volunteer firefighter Kevin Swain, 19, has been hospitalized at the Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore since he was shot four times during a welfare check that went wrong last Friday in Temple Hills.

Firefighter/paramedic John “Skillet” Ulmschneider, 37, died at Southern Maryland Hospital Center from a gunshot wound to the upper body.

The firefighers were called to check on a diabetic man who wasn’t responding to family members. But, the resident reportedly thought his home was being broken into when he shot Ulmschneider, Swain and a relative trying to check on his welfare.

Donations in Swain's Name

In lieu of donations for expenses, Kevin’s family has requested that a charity fund be established in Kevin’s name to benefit three causes that are close to his heart. A link to donate is on the YouCaring website.

The first charity that the fund will benefit is the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. In addition to the NFFF, money will also be donated for Cystic Fibrosis Research as well as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment. Kevin’s family specifically requested that the department raise money for these three worthy causes, as they all have the ability to help people, just as Kevin does.

"The American Fire Service is a tight-knit family, and when an event such as this one takes place, it is felt across the nation and around the world," organizers said online. "We at the Morningside Volunteer Fire Department are honored to assist Kevin’s family in establishing this charity fund, and respectfully request that you donate whatever you can spare to help us make a difference in Kevin’s name.

Fundraiser for Ulmschneider Family

Ulmschneider is survived by his wife, Dawn, and their 2-year-old daughter, Abigail. He was buried on Wednesday.

On a fundraising website set up to help them, Dawn Ulmschneider thanked the members of the Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department for their support.

“Family doesn’t begin to describe the sense of belonging I feel toward the brothers and sisters of this IAFF family,” she wrote. “I am proud to be a PGFD wife and I find pride in wearing the PGFD insignia. Your love and support means the world to me. As the pictures and stories come in, I know that Skillet lives in each and every one of you. When I share all of your fond memories in the future with Abigail, I know that she will know the hero my husband was.”

As of Thursday, $34,245 has been donated to the family.

Click on the widget below to donate.

»Photo of Firefighter/EMT Kevin Swain, courtesy of Morningside Volunteer Fire Department