GULF SHORES, AL - Lt. Ron West of the Gulf Shores Fire Department was injured while off duty on Saturday, May 9.

“Our Lt. Ron West and Chief of Oyster Bay Huggers Landing VFD was involved in a tree-cutting accident,” the department reported on its Facebook page. “He fell and sustained serious injuries. He was flown to USA. He is conscious and will have surgery once stabilized. He will be in ICU until surgery.

An update on Sunday, May 10 from Deputy Fire Chief Keith Martin said West was improving and the surgery was planned.

“Ron has been doing well today,” Martin said. “He is in good spirits. The updated plan calls for surgery in the morning (May 11).

“He had many visitors today, and that has been wonderful for him. The family respectfully requests no visitors until after surgery tomorrow and they see how he is doing.

“We will send out info when they feel he can see us again.”

West is involved in training with the department as well and has been involved in training students at GulfShoresHigh School as a Public Safety Instructor in the Health/Sciences Academy.