AL Fire Lieutenant Clings to Life After Fall from Ladder
By By Carol Robinson
Source Alabama Media Group
Birmingham Jan. 29--A beloved Tarrant firefighter who fell from a ladder while battling a house blaze Sunday is still fighting for his life at UAB Hospital.
Lt. Jerry Presley, 47, remains in critical condition and unresponsive two days after he fell at least 12 feet outside a house fire on Woodrow Drive.
Tarrant Fire and Rescue and Tarrant police responded about 8:15 a.m. to the fire and a short time later, Presley was injured.
Tarrant Fire Chief Jason Rickels said they still don't know what caused Presley's fall. They believe he may have been unconscious when he fell but they aren't sure whether there was some kind of medical issue or whether he was possibly shocked by power lines at the home.
"We may never know until he wakes up and tells us what happened," Rickels said. Presley, who joined Tarrant Fire in 2001, is suffering from head and cervical injuries.
He was supposed to undergo surgery today for his cervical injury, but that surgery has been delayed to give his brain more time to heal and rest.
Firefighters and their families have been keeping vigil at UAB Hospital, supporting Presley's wife and three children -- ages 27, 20 and 13.
Rickels said the family is holding up well and said this of Presley's wife: "She's as strong a woman I would expect a strong man like Lt. Presley to be married to." Rickels said they've all been amazed at the support from the community. For example,
On Monday night, Rickels posted some special requests from Presley's children -- applesauce, gummies, fresh fruit and bottled water -- and said within two hours, Kimberly Police Chief Ricky Pridmore had delivered all.
"It's just overwhelming," Rickels said. Friends and family are still asking for prayers.
They expect to set up a GoFundMe sometime today.
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