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.

Written by Hilary Fussell, Public Affairs Assistant

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