A Marion County Fire Rescue lieutenant has returned home a little over a month after sustaining a serious neck injury in a training accident.
On Tuesday, November 15, MCFR lieutenant Anthony “Tony” Gillan – a United States Marine, husband, and father – seriously injured his neck during a training evolution. Gillan was trauma alerted to a local trauma center where he underwent immediate surgery.
After his surgery, Gillan traveled to Jacksonville for intense physical rehabilitation, and he proceeded to complete his rehabilitation “well ahead of schedule and what was expected,” according to MCFR. On Saturday, December 17, Gillan was able to return home.
Shortly after the accident, a GoFundMe page was established for the benefit of Gillan and his wife, Cheryl, and nearly 150 donations were received totaling $15,000. These funds will be used to help cover the cost of monthly bills and expenses as Gillan continues the healing and recovery process.
“The men and women of Marion County Fire Rescue are astonished by Tony’s strength, drive and determination,” stated Marion County Fire Chief James Banta. “As he completes the next phase of his rehabilitation, we will be with him every step of the way. I would like to thank the men and women of Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department for their unwavering support of Tony and Cheryl through their journey.”
In a social media post, Marion County Fire Rescue requested that residents “continue to keep Tony in your thoughts and prayers as he continues his journey back to the job he loves.”