ROANOKE COUNTY RESCUER EARNS
AWARD FOR SELF AND VIRGINIA
TECH
BLACKSBURG,
July 8, 2003 - William R. Chrimes,
a firefighter and paramedic with
the Roanoke County Fire and Rescue
Department, has been named the
2003 Stihl National Forestry Heroism
Award winner for his "extraordinary
courage when he helped rescue
two firefighters in Happy Camp,
Calif., after their fire engine
plunged more than 1,200 feet over
an embankment." Roanoke County
participates in a program that
sends firefighters from the state
to help control large fires throughout
the nation.
Stihl
Inc., which manufactures the world's
largest selling brand of chain
saws, chooses one hero each year
to honor. As this year's recipient,
Chrimes received the Stihl National
Forestry Heroism Award plaque
and monetary gift. Because Chrimes
is a resident of Virginia, Stihl
also made a contribution to Virginia
Tech's Department of Forestry.
The $5000 contribution will fund
student scholarships in forestry.
