October 26-A house fire in the 600 block of 25th Street East in Hibbing was ruled arson. The fire was reported 4;50 p.m. Fire crews from Hibbing, Chisholm and Keewatin responded. The fire was quickly knocked down, but the house had extensive damages estimated around $50,000. The home was unoccupied at the time. There were no firefighter injuries. The fire remains under investigation by Hibbing Police and the Hibbing Fire Marshal’s Office.

October 26 -Firefighters from five Iron Range communities battled an early morning house fire in Virginia’s north side area. The blaze was reported shortly after 4:30 a.m. in the 700 block of 10th Street North. 46 year old Donna Parks died in the fire while two people had burn injuries. An investigation by the Virginia Fire Department and State Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the cause of the fire was electrical in nature and accidental. It was also determined that the house had no working smoke detectors. Firefighters from Virginia, Mountain Iron, Eveleth, Fayal Township and Gilbert were on the scene for several hours.

The Pequaywan Lake Area Fire Department is receiving an Assistance to Firefighters’ Grant (AFG). The announcement was made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The $80,924 will be used for Operations and Safety.

January 4-Virginia, Mountain Iron and Eveleth firefighters were dispatched (around 7:50 p.m.) to a report of a house fire in the 100 block of 2nd Street South in Virginia. Arriving crews found heavy smoke coming from the three story structure. The house was not occupied at the time and the fire is believed to have started in the basement. No injuries were reported. Upon investigation, the cause of the fire was determined to be suspicious.

January 7, 2016-After over 25 years of dedicated service, Virginia Fire Department Battalion Chief Francis “Buddy” Mell has retired. Mell also served as a Firefighter/Paramedic. Buddy is known as a unique individual with a “heart of gold” and his firefighting and EMS experiences could fill several books. Congratulations, Buddy!

September 19 – The Cloquet Area Fire District is receiving a $25,000 AFG from the Department of Homeland Security. The grant is for Operations and Safety.

September 14 – The Taconite and Hermantown fire departments are getting Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) from the Department of Homeland Security. Hermantown is receiving $138,477 while Taconite is getting $25,996. Both grants are for Operations and Safety.

September 9 – The Bovey Fire Department has received an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) in the amount of $75,530. The announcement is from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The funding will be used for Operations and Safety.

Former McDavitt Fire Chief Gail Lanyk was recently named Firefighter of the Year by the Minnesota State Fire Department Association(MSFDA). The award took place during the organization’s annual meeting in St. Cloud. Chief Lanyk was honored for her 42 years of dedicated service to the McDavitt Fire Department, with 16 of those years as fire chief. In writing her nomination for the award, McDavitt Fire Chief Stan Sokoloski praised Lanyk for her work as not only a firefighter, but a fire instructor. “She is willing and teaches anyone firefighting,” said Sokoloski. “Our department has accomplished much thru Gail Lanyk’s professionalism and outstanding leadership and she has shown the community what a fire department can do for the community.” Chief Lanyk started the Junior Firefighter Program with three individuals. Two of the junior firefighters have remained with the department and one is attending fire school to make firefighting her career. Chief Lanyk is a member of the St. Louis County Radio User Board and an active member of the Arrowhead EMS Association.
Editor’s Note: Gail Lanyk represents what being a true professional is all about. Her dedication is second to none and she is well deserving of this award. Congratulations Gail!