Town of Black Mountain mourns the loss of firefighter

Garrett Presnell succumbs to complications from COVID-19

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
August 31, 2021

Black Mountain firefighter Garrett Presnell passed away, Aug. 31, from complications related to COVID-19. Photo courtesy of BMFD

The Black Mountain Fire Department is mourning the loss of a local firefighter who passed away, Aug. 31, from complications related to COVID-19.

Garrett Presnell, a full-time firefighter with BMFD, who was a member of the Buncombe County Urban Search and Rescue Team and served as a volunteer for the Sugar Hill Montford Cove Fire Department and as president of the McDowell County Fire and Rescue Association, passed away at the age of 28. 

Black Mountain Mayor Larry Harris confirmed the passing of the local firefighter on Tuesday morning, expressing sorrow on behalf of town council and staff. 

“We all will be keeping the family in our prayers,” the mayor said in an emailed statement.

The loss of Presnell, who was hospitalized days ago, was a shock to the BMFD, according to Chief Scottie Harris (no relation to Mayor Larry Harris). Members of the department were en route to Winston-Salem, Tuesday morning, as they prepared to escort Presnell back to McDowell County. 

“Any time you walked into the station you would see him smile,” an emotional chief said of the firefighter. “That’s the hardest thing about it, losing that heart and that smile.”

Presnell was passionate about firefighting, according to Chief Harris. 

“He was a go-getter, and always willing to learn and share his knowledge with others,” he said. “He taught classes on self-rescue and how to save yourself in the event of an emergency, and that was his way of giving back to other firefighters.”

As local firefighters process the loss of Presnell, the department has received an outpouring of support from agencies throughout the state. 

“The Office of State Fire Marshal has representatives at our station now,” the chief said. “Surrounding departments, including Asheville and Enka, currently have engines (in Black Mountain) covering our district.”

Donations to the Black Mountain Volunteer Firefighters Association, a nonprofit organization that supports the fire department, will be used to support the family of Presnell, who was expecting his first child with his wife this fall. 

A fishing tournament in Black Bear Landing at Lake James, beginning at 5 a.m., Monday, Sept. 6, will also raise money for the Presnell family. The McDowell County Fire and Rescue Association will hold a drive-through benefit dinner supporting the family from 5 - 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 18, at the Lackey Town Missionary Baptist Church in Old Fort. A public Facebook group, “In Memory of Garrett Presnell Shirt Fundraiser,” will begin taking orders for t-shirts at 5 p.m., Aug. 31. Proceeds from the $20 shirts will go to the Presnell family, according to the page.