Canyon Lake Firefighter Named ‘Hot Rescue’

Kyle Ingram with Canyon Lake Fire/EMS Station 51 saw a Facebook post asking for firefighters willing to pose for the 2020 Hot Rescues Calendar, a fundraiser for the Hill Country Firefighter Burn Fund.

Soon after he was smiling for the camera on the shores of Canyon Lake as Mr. May, accompanied by the real hot rescue, a labrador retriever named Duke, who was found tied to a tree near a school then left to languish at a Lockhart animal shelter after his owners lied about picking him up.

The canine doesn’t like to retrieve, swim or ride on boats, but he overcame his fear of the water long enough to pose for the camera as a rescue fireboat plied the lake behind him.

“Everyone loves animals,” said Ingram, who adopted Duke after his sister-in-law alerted him to the dog’s plight. “If I was just in the calendar by myself I probably wouldn’t be as tempting to buy. He must have got one perfect picture out of all the craziness. I was really impressed to see how calm he looked.”

Monies raised by calendar sales go the Hill Country Firefighter Burn Fund and the Texas Burn Survivor Society, which relies solely on donations to fund camps Ax in Austin and David in Kerrville.

“These kids go through so much being in the hospital for multiple surgeries and everything,” said Ingram, who drives fire engines and makes sure they pump water for other firefighters. “They’re the bigger heroes than we are. We want to do whatever we can to help them out.”

Hot Rescues Calendar, now in its second year, is the brainchild of organizer Dana Zamarripa, who said small communities like Canyon Lake tend to be very supportive of projects that involve local firefighters and law enforcement.

She notes many pediatric burn survivors feel uneasy about the scars left by their injuries. Summer camp is the only place they feel comfortable enough to take to the water. Also, it’s not unusual for burn survivors and their family members, also severely impacted by burn injuries, to form lifelong friendships at the camps.

Camp David is a week of summer adventure and discovery, designed specifically for pediatric burn survivors ages seven to 16. Children learn “core spiritual values” which enhance their ability to survive injury and gain the self-confidence, self-esteem and coping skills that will allow them to re-enter and function happily in society. Firefighters from Central Texas also volunteer at the camp.

Camp Ax in Austin is a retreat for teen and young adult burn survivors ages 17 to 22.

To purchase a $15 calendar, click here. To make a donation, click here. For more information about Hot Rescues Calendar and the Hill Country Firefighter Burn Fund, click here. Calendars also will be available for sale at Cibolo Fest on Oct. 19.