It’s been just over three weeks since a Tarrant firefighter was injured critically injured, and fundraising efforts continue to help him and his family during what will be a long road to recovery.
Lt. Jerry Presley, 47, and his fellow firefighters responded Sunday, Jan. 27, to a fully-involved blaze at a house on Woodrow Drive. While battling the blaze, the 18-year-old veteran of Tarrant Fire fell off a ladder, dropping at least 12 feet to the ground below. It is believed he suffered a medical event that led to the fall.
Presley has remained hospitalized since then, having suffered a C-3/C04 spinal injury, brain trauma and an arterial injury in the neck. He has been on and off a ventilator to assist with his breathing, and recently was moved to an isolation unit because of infection. Tarrant Fire Chief Jason Rickels on Monday said his temperature did not spike over the weekend and that as soon as Presley is stable, the next likely move will be to a rehabilitation facility. Presley still has not spoken, but he responds appropriately to questions.