The Columbia Professional Firefighters Local 1055 has donated $7,500 to University Hospital’s George David Peak Memorial Burn and Wound Center. Columbia firefighters raised the money during the organization’s annual golf tournament on May 5 at Eagle Knoll Golf Club.

In 12 years of hosting the fundraiser, the Columbia Professional Firefighters Local 1055 has donated more than $35,000 to University Hospital’s burn intensive care unit.

“Firefighters put their lives on the line every day,” said James Kraatz, M.D., director of the George David Peak Memorial Burn and Wound Center and burn surgeon at University Hospital. “We appreciate the support they provide to the burn unit and their dedicated service to our community.”

Approximately 250 burn patients are treated every year at the center. University Hospital’s state-of-the-art burn intensive care unit features 14 private intensive care rooms, an integral operating room, a specialized treatment room and a rehabilitation therapy room to meet the treatment needs of burn patients. Three full-time, fellowship-trained burn surgeons staff the unit, along with a team of nurses trained and certified in the advanced critical care of burn and wound patients.

Columbia Professional Firefighters Local 1055 was established June 28, 1950. Local 1055 is an affiliation of the International Association of Firefighters representing more than 290,000 professional firefighters in the United States and Canada.

Photo (left to right): Steve Forrest, Columbia Firefighter, Nicholas Meyer, burn surgeon University Hospital, James Kraatz, director of the George David Peak Memorial Burn and Wound Center at University Hospital, and Michael Cox, Columbia Firefighter.