GAINESVILLE - The community is reaching out to help the three Hall County firefighters injured yesterday in a training accident.<br />
<br />
Will Griffin, T.J. Elliott and Stephen Jackson were in the bucket of a ladder truck Tuesday afternoon at the Gainesville-Hall County Joint Fire Training Facility when a mechanical failure caused the bucket to fall nearly twenty feet. All three men were injured in the incident.<br />
<br />
Hall County Fire Marshall Scott Cagle said, "They're in stable condition; all three are in high spirits. The injuries ranged from bruising to broken bones."<br />
<br />
He quickly added, "We are very thankful for the outpouring of support that we have gotten from the other metro counties. The Atlanta Fire Department was there at Grady (Memorial Hospital) awaiting the families of these firefighters as they arrived at Grady yesterday."<br />
<br />
Cagle said that was just the beginning of people and groups interested in helping the injured men and their families.<br />
<br />
"So we have set up a fund at the local Hall County Credit Union. The name of that fund is: Hall County Injured Firefighters. Folks can go by...and make a contribution."<br />
<br />
"That money will be divided three ways and will go directly to those three families who are affected."<br />
<br />
Cagle said that while the accident was covered as a Workmen's Compensation event, the donated monies would pay for the incidental expenses family members might experience such as travel expenses and hotel room costs. <br />
<br />
"Also we have had some children wanting to know how they could help," Cagle added.<br />
<br />
Cagle said get-well cards and other written encouragements would be appreciated. Cagle said those interested could use the following address:<br />
<br />
Hall County Fire Department<BR>P.O. Box 907730<BR> Gainesville, Ga. 30501<br />
<br />
The names of the men injured are: T.J. Elliott, Will Griffin, and Stephen Jackson<br />
