GULF SHORES, AL – Lt. Ron West, training officer for Gulf Shores Fire and Rescue has left Mobile’s USA hospital and is headed to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta.

West was severely injured in a tree-cutting accident on May 9.

According to its website, the Shepherd Center is a private, not-for-profit hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury and brain injury. Founded in 1975, Shepherd Center is ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top 10 rehabilitation hospitals in the nation.

Shepherd Center is a 152-bed facility. Last year Shepherd had 965 admissions to its spine and brain inpatient programs and 571 to its day patient programs. In addition, Shepherd sees more than 6,600 people annually on an outpatient basis, according to the website.

It was at first feared that West had severed his spinal cord in a fall and surgery revealed that although it was not severed it sustained “significant damage,” according to reports from GSFR.

“He will be transferred via Medstar Ambulance,” a post on the Gulf Shores department’s Facebook stated. “We wish to thank Johnny Sundie, Owner of Medstar and a member of City of Orange Beach Fire Department. He is providing the ambulance and allowing our own Lt. Jeff Kimsey who is also a member of Huggers Landing/Oyster Bay fire, where Ron is the Chief, to staff the unit making the transfer.

“Your prayers and other expressions of concern have been wonderful. We will post an update after Ron gets settled. Good luck Ron, we all love you! We will hold the fort down while you are away.”

Making the trip are Kristen Folsom, Jason Hadley, Ashley West Waid and Lt. Kimsey. The Coweta Station 1 in Newnan, Ga., offered to assist in anyway as the ambulance makes its way to Atlanta. 

Donations are being accepted to help with medical expenses related to West’s care.

“There has been a huge influx of people wanting to donate, so an account has been opened at Bryant Bank to receive these donations,” Deputy Fire Chief Keith Martin said. “You may stop by any Bryant Bank branch to make a deposit or may mail a check to: Bryant Bank PO Box 640 Foley, AL 36536. Please make checks payable to Ron West. The West family thanks you for all of the support during this difficult time.”

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

In May of 2013 Gulf Shores student Jacob Mogan had a rare spinal stroke that caused some paralysis to his lower body. He also went for treatment at the Shepherd clinic.