Carthage, Tennessee Fire Chief Recovering
Now, it seems like all of Carthage is giving back.
"We had hundreds of phone calls. Lots and lots of visitors, and we appreciate all the prayers," said Stallings' daughter Chandra Wood.
71-year old Ed Stallings is one of three firefighters injured when a church roof collapsed on top of him during a fire Thursday.
Now, he's recovering at Vanderbilt Medical Center.
"He's got lots of fractures, lots of neck fractures, lots of facial fractures, but he's holding his own," said Wood.
Stallings' son Nicky, and Benton Dyer were also fighting the fire when the roof fell, but their injuries aren't nearly as serious.
They were both treated at a Carthage hospital and released.
For now, Stallings can't speak, and he needs a ventilator to breathe.
However, he's able to move enough to let his family know he's still fighting.
"We have a little signal," said Wood while fighting back tears, "I tell him dad, if you love me, squeeze my hand three times, and he will. He squeezes three times."
Officially, Stallings is listed in critical condition.
But his family says they're sure he's going to pull through, and when he does, Wood says he'll probably be back at the firehouse waiting for the next call.
"No doubt he'll be right there ready to do it again. He's very proud of his fire department. he loves it and talks about it all the time."
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