A local firefighter who was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries suffered in Iraq is again battling blazes in Capitol Heights.
Dwayne Frost, a 24-year veteran of the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department, is returning to active duty in the department seven years after he was seriously injured in Baghdad.
Frost went to Iraq in January 2003 as part of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, according to the fire department.
He was wounded when a suicide bomber struck his Humvee in downtown Baghdad in July 2003. Frost’s right leg was amputated below his knee and he now uses a prosthetic limb. He received a Purple Heart for his injuries.
Frost was also awarded a Bronze Star for his role in the capture of Zuhayr Talib Abd al-Sattar al-Naqib, the director of Iraqi military intelligence and the “7 of Hearts” in the card deck of Iraq’s “55 most wanted.”
Frost said he is excited about resuming his duties as an emergency medical services lieutenant and firefighter, despite his injuries.
“I want to prove that a person with disabilities can serve their community just as well or better than a person without my injuries,” he said in a statement.
Frost has been cleared to provide emergency medical care and to fight blazes from the outside of a building.
Department officials said they are glad Frost has returned.
“His courage and commitment to his country, his community and this department are an inspiration to us all,” said James McClelland, volunteer fire chief.
Frost is the vice president of the department.
Frost’s sons are also involved in the volunteer fire department.
One, Dwayne Frost Jr., recently completed firefighter training and is now pursuing EMS training.
The other, Cameron Frost, is in the application process.
