Support Lt. Jerry Presley and his Family
Donation protected
*Lt. Presley is now in an intense, focused rehab facility. Donations are now being handled by the Tarrant Fire Department. Please see details below.*
Should you wish to donate, pleased do so by mailing a check made payable directly to The Jerry Presley Fund to:
Tarrant Fire Department
ATTN: Team Jerry
2593 Commerce Circle
Birmingham, AL 35217
In the early morning hours of Sunday, January 27, 2019, the Tarrant (AL) Fire Department responded to a fully involved house fire on Woodrow Drive. Shortly thereafter a call came over dispatch that stole our breath and broke our hearts: "fireman down." Lt. Jerry Presley took fall from a ladder while fighting the blaze and was very seriously injured. Jerry was rushed to UAB via ambulance where he remains in critical condition. Links to media coverage of the incident can be found at the bottom of this description.
Jerry's family rushed to his side Sunday morning to find him unresponsive and fighting for his life. He suffered a C-3/C-4 spinal injury, brain trauma, and an arterial injury in the neck. Jerry remains in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit (NICU) awaiting surgery to stabilize his spinal injury. The surgery has been delayed while they stabilize his cranial pressure. The wonderful team at UAB is watching him closely and making sure he rests comfortably. Updates to his condition will be periodically posted to the Tarrant, Ala. Facebook page.
I'll never forget the look on my husband, Chief Jason Rickels', face when he heard the words "fireman down." I'll never forget the drop of my heart when Jason said to me: "It's Jerry." Lt. Jerry Presley is a devoted family man and loyal friend who has spent his life in service to God, his country, and his community. Every day he wakes up and goes to work knowing that it could be the day he gives his life protecting someone he has never met. Jerry would not regret it. He is the best among us and beloved by all those who know him.
Jerry is blessed with a lovely, devoted wife in Qutanza ("Tan") Presley. I struggle to find words to describe her strength and grace during this ordeal. Jerry's children Kiquan, Khalil ("KJ"), and Kyndal Mackenzie (all of whom he brags on every chance he gets) have not left his or their mom's side. They are testament to and reflection of Tan and Jerry: smart, funny, kind, loving, and tenacious. The outpouring of love, prayers, and well wishes for Jerry and his family have been both beautiful and humbling. Jerry's other family, the men and women of the fire service and police force have surrounded Jerry and his family since the moment he arrived at UAB.
At this point it's hour by hour, day by day. One thing is certain, Jerry has a long, arduous road to recovery ahead of him. Tan and the kids will be with him every step of the way. The emotional toll, physical toll, and disruption of their lives is more than they should have to bear. The last thing they need to worry about is a financial burden.
There is the potential for significant costs for Jerry's family down the road depending on the damage the spinal injury and brain trauma have caused, the extent of which remains uncertain. Immediate needs include, but are not limited to, temporary housing down by UAB, travel expenses for his out of town children, and meals. The costs will likely continues accrue as Jerry recovers, even after he returns home. My earnest hope is that the extended community steps in to care for Jerry and his family the way he has always cared for the community. Prayers cost nothing, we ask for those in abundance. If you are able to help financially please consider donating to this fund to cover the family's expenses. (In response to a few inquiries, if you wish to donate outside of go fund me, instructions are below.)
Thank you!
Melody Jones Rickels, on behalf of Team Jerry
*Should you wish to donate, pleased do so by mailing a check made payable directly to The Jerry Presley Fund to:
Tarrant Fire Department
ATTN: Team Jerry
2593 Commerce Circle
Birmingham, AL 35217
https://m.facebook.com/cityoftarrant/
http://www.wbrc.com/2019/02/03/prayer-vigil-held-injured-tarrant-firefighter-recovery-continues/
https://abc3340.com/news/local/tarrant-firefighter-injured-on-duty-is-still-fighting-for-his-life
https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/tarrant-firefighter-critically-injured-after-fall/1738403534
https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2019/01/its-hour-by-hour-day-by-day-gofundme-launched-for-critically-injured-firefighter.html
https://www.al.com//news/birmingham/2019/01/tarrant-firefighter-still-fighting-for-his-life-after-fall-from-ladder-community-rallying-around-family-co-workers.html
https://abc3340.com/news/local/tarrant-firefighter-injured-battling-house-fire
https://www.wvtm13.com/article/a-tarrant-firefighter-was-seriously-injured-while-battling-a-house-fire/26052260
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/alabama/articles/2019-01-27/police-say-alabama-firefighter-injured-when-ladder-fell
Should you wish to donate, pleased do so by mailing a check made payable directly to The Jerry Presley Fund to:
Tarrant Fire Department
ATTN: Team Jerry
2593 Commerce Circle
Birmingham, AL 35217
In the early morning hours of Sunday, January 27, 2019, the Tarrant (AL) Fire Department responded to a fully involved house fire on Woodrow Drive. Shortly thereafter a call came over dispatch that stole our breath and broke our hearts: "fireman down." Lt. Jerry Presley took fall from a ladder while fighting the blaze and was very seriously injured. Jerry was rushed to UAB via ambulance where he remains in critical condition. Links to media coverage of the incident can be found at the bottom of this description.
Jerry's family rushed to his side Sunday morning to find him unresponsive and fighting for his life. He suffered a C-3/C-4 spinal injury, brain trauma, and an arterial injury in the neck. Jerry remains in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit (NICU) awaiting surgery to stabilize his spinal injury. The surgery has been delayed while they stabilize his cranial pressure. The wonderful team at UAB is watching him closely and making sure he rests comfortably. Updates to his condition will be periodically posted to the Tarrant, Ala. Facebook page.
I'll never forget the look on my husband, Chief Jason Rickels', face when he heard the words "fireman down." I'll never forget the drop of my heart when Jason said to me: "It's Jerry." Lt. Jerry Presley is a devoted family man and loyal friend who has spent his life in service to God, his country, and his community. Every day he wakes up and goes to work knowing that it could be the day he gives his life protecting someone he has never met. Jerry would not regret it. He is the best among us and beloved by all those who know him.
Jerry is blessed with a lovely, devoted wife in Qutanza ("Tan") Presley. I struggle to find words to describe her strength and grace during this ordeal. Jerry's children Kiquan, Khalil ("KJ"), and Kyndal Mackenzie (all of whom he brags on every chance he gets) have not left his or their mom's side. They are testament to and reflection of Tan and Jerry: smart, funny, kind, loving, and tenacious. The outpouring of love, prayers, and well wishes for Jerry and his family have been both beautiful and humbling. Jerry's other family, the men and women of the fire service and police force have surrounded Jerry and his family since the moment he arrived at UAB.
At this point it's hour by hour, day by day. One thing is certain, Jerry has a long, arduous road to recovery ahead of him. Tan and the kids will be with him every step of the way. The emotional toll, physical toll, and disruption of their lives is more than they should have to bear. The last thing they need to worry about is a financial burden.
There is the potential for significant costs for Jerry's family down the road depending on the damage the spinal injury and brain trauma have caused, the extent of which remains uncertain. Immediate needs include, but are not limited to, temporary housing down by UAB, travel expenses for his out of town children, and meals. The costs will likely continues accrue as Jerry recovers, even after he returns home. My earnest hope is that the extended community steps in to care for Jerry and his family the way he has always cared for the community. Prayers cost nothing, we ask for those in abundance. If you are able to help financially please consider donating to this fund to cover the family's expenses. (In response to a few inquiries, if you wish to donate outside of go fund me, instructions are below.)
Thank you!
Melody Jones Rickels, on behalf of Team Jerry
*Should you wish to donate, pleased do so by mailing a check made payable directly to The Jerry Presley Fund to:
Tarrant Fire Department
ATTN: Team Jerry
2593 Commerce Circle
Birmingham, AL 35217
https://m.facebook.com/cityoftarrant/
http://www.wbrc.com/2019/02/03/prayer-vigil-held-injured-tarrant-firefighter-recovery-continues/
https://abc3340.com/news/local/tarrant-firefighter-injured-on-duty-is-still-fighting-for-his-life
https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/tarrant-firefighter-critically-injured-after-fall/1738403534
https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2019/01/its-hour-by-hour-day-by-day-gofundme-launched-for-critically-injured-firefighter.html
https://www.al.com//news/birmingham/2019/01/tarrant-firefighter-still-fighting-for-his-life-after-fall-from-ladder-community-rallying-around-family-co-workers.html
https://abc3340.com/news/local/tarrant-firefighter-injured-battling-house-fire
https://www.wvtm13.com/article/a-tarrant-firefighter-was-seriously-injured-while-battling-a-house-fire/26052260
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/alabama/articles/2019-01-27/police-say-alabama-firefighter-injured-when-ladder-fell
Fundraising team: Team Jerry (2)
Melody Jones Rickels
Organizer
Kimberly, AL
Quatanza Presley
Beneficiary
Jason Rickels
Team member
