Mount Airy’s new fire chief accepts a gift from the Kramp family as Captain Trey Leonard, right, looks on. The boys gave the fire department equipment to help save animal’s lives in the event they get smoke inhalation during a fire.
The Kramp family, Paula and Kevin, and their three sons, Brian, 10, Joseph 6, and Steven, 3, of Fairfax, Va., visited the Mount Airy Fire Department recently to present the gift. Paula Kramp said her mother, Olivia O’Donery of Mount Airy, who feels passionately about animals, wanted her Christmas present this year to be animal rescue equipment donated to fire departments.
O’Donery volunteers with Surry Animal Rescue. She has two dogs of her own and fosters two more for animal rescue. The masks that were donated came in different sizes to fit over the snouts of cats and dogs to provide oxygen in the case of smoke inhalation, so that firefighters don’t have to perform mouth-to-snout resuscitation.
Dr. Clark Fincher, of Animal Medical Services, helped the family purchase the proper equipment that works seamlessly with the equipment already being used by firefighters.
Mount Airy’s new fire Chief Charles Osborne, who doesn’t officially start work until today, said he felt it was such an important cause he wanted to come early to present the family with certificates of recognition for their donation.
The family was treated to a tour of the fire department and the fire trucks. The boys said they especially enjoyed the lights on the trucks.
“We are deeply appreciate all that you do. God Bless and God Speed,” said Kevin Kramp.
“We certainly appreciate your kind gift,” Osborne said.
The boys were all given fire badges and hats, along with their certificates of appreciation.
“This has been the best day,” said Brian Kramp.
The life-saving equipment was also given to the Franklin Volunteer Fire Department and the Loudon County Fire Department, closer to where the Kramp family lives.
Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.
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