With the two recent Carbon Monoxide fatalities in Rice Lake Township, north of Duluth; the Virginia Fire Department, Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office are providing this information about Carbon Monoxide and ways to protect you and your family against this silent killer.

Safety Tips
1. Have your home heating systems(including chimneys and vents) inspected and serviced every year by a training service technician.
2. Never use portable generators inside homes or garages, even if doors and windows are open. Use generators outside only, far away from the home.
3. Never bring a charcoal grill into the house4 for heating or cooking. Do not barbecue in the garage.
4. Never use a gas range or oven for heating.
5. Open the fireplace damper before lighting a fire and keep it open until the ashes are cool. An open damper may help prevent build-up of poisonous gases inside the home.
6. Install battery operated CO alarms or CO alarms with battery backup in your home outside separate sleeping areas.
7. Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. If you suspect CO poisoning, get outside to fresh air immediately, and then call 911.

The Symptoms of CO Poisoning
Because CO is odorless, colorless, and otherwise undetectable to the human senses, people may not know that they are being exposed. The initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning are similar to the flu(but without the fever). They include:
1. Headache
2. Fatigue
3. Shortness of breath
4. Nausea
5. Dizziness
High level CO poisoning results in progressively more severe symptoms, including:
1. Mental Confusion
2. Vomiting
3. Loss of muscle coordination
4. Loss of consciousness
5. Ultimately death

Former Virginia Fire Chief Dan L’Allier has a lot of great things to say about his time in Virginia. L’Allier joined the department in 2006 and rose up through the ranks to become Fire Chief in 2011. He recently left Virginia where he is now the Deputy Public Safety Director in Lino Lakes. In his new position, L’Allier will be in charge of setting up the city’s new fire department. “The accomplishments and achievements that came forth in Virginia during my tenure as Fire Chief are a tribute to my family, my staff and the mayor and Virginia city council,” said L’Allier. “With their patience and support, we really made some great things happen.” Perhaps one of the biggest changes was moving the ambulance license from the Virginia Regional Medical Center to the fire department. “The move enabled us to generate revenue which led to new ambulances and improved equipment. We went from three ambulances to six and we were also able to increase our staffing, which will soon be 29. This in itself was pretty major,” added L’Allier. The Virginia Department also increased its fire suppression operations by adding an additional engine and going with 5″ LDH. Other improvements included four gas monitors, mobile data computers in the rigs, a second set of rescue tools and electronic patient care reports and rig checks. “We moved the department into the electronic age and we just kept going.” The Virginia Fire Department would also become part of the ARMER system and work with neighboring communities to develop a severe weather warning system using a series of state of the art sirens. As this story is being written, the City of Virginia will be installing 60 video cameras, which will provide a whole new level of protection to the community. “While this project is somewhat controversial,” stated L’Allier. “In the end it will be a deterrent to various crimes like vandalism, burglary and even violent situations. Plus, it will aid us in that we will have a first hand view of an accident or fire. This will be a good tool for us and for public safety.”
L’Allier said his decision to leave Virginia was extremely difficult, but in the end was based on his family. “We are closer to our family members and with three young children, Tabitha and me felt it would be the best for all of us. It was really a tough decision, but I know it will be a significant and enjoyable challenge.”
In leaving the Virginia Fire Department, L’Allier takes a lot of pride in what occurred during his time there and he foresees a lot more for the department. “The Virginia Fire Department really has the ability to continue to be a very progressive organization. They have some really dynamic people who can lead the department into the future. I’m very proud that I was part of that team and I wish all of them the very best. It was a wonderful experience to be there.”

Former Virginia Fire Chief Dan L’Allier

The Hibbing City Council has appointed Erik Jankila as the city’s new fire chief. Jankila was named to the post following a 4 to 3 vote. The job had been vacant since May when Fire Chief Scott Nehiba retired. Jankila, who started his firefighting career with the Eveleth Paid On-Call Fire Department, told The Northland Fire Wire that he is looking forward to the challenge.

The Embarrass Region Volunteer Fire Department is $3,000 richer, thanks to a grant from the AgStar Fund for Rural America. The funds will be used to install electrical service in the department’s storage building. The grant was given as part of the Emergency Response Equipment Grant Program, which supports rural areas by funding emergency response equipment for volunteer fire, rescue or ambulance departments. This year, AgStar increased the amount awarded through the program with 59 volunteer fire, rescue and ambulance squads receiving grants totaling $165,506.
AgStar Financial Services, ACA, is headquartered in Mankato and employs more than 600 full-time team members. The company is part of the national Farm Credit System and has a public missions to serve 69 counties in Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. The company has expertise in the corn, soybean, swine, dairy and bio-energy industries.

September 12-The Cherry Fire Department is receiving an Assistance to Firefighters Grant(AFG) in the amount of $39,045. The announcement is from the Department of Homeland Security. The funding is for Operations and Safety.

September 11-Firefighters from 12 Iron Range fire departments battled a morning blaze at the Countryside Estates apartment complex in West Eveleth. The fire was reported just before 8:30 a.m. in the Spruce Building. Arriving firefighters saw smoke and flames coming from a second floor apartment. Several apartments inside the building received extensive damage. Twenty four people were displaced by the fire. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office. Departments involved in fighting the fire included: Eveleth, Virginia, Mountain Iron, Fayal Township, Gilbert, Cherry, Clinton, Pike-Sandy-Britt, Kinney-Great Scott, Central Lakes, Hibbing, and the U.S.Steel Fire Brigade at MINNTAC.

It’s official! Northeastern Minnesota has a new Deputy State Fire Marshal. 20 year law enforcement veteran Rich Sellman was recently named to the position by Minnesota State Fire Marshal Bruce West. In addition to his many years in law enforcement, Sellman is a member of the Chisholm Fire Department and Chisholm Ambulance Service. “We’re very proud of Rich and his new position,” said Chisholm Fire Chief Bob Brown. “He is dedicated, hardworking and a perfect fit for the job!” Sellman takes over for Jim Iammatteo, who was promoted to Chief Investigator for the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office. Sellman is now undergoing additional training and will be in the field in the very near future.

July 27- The Virginia Fire Department and local law enforcement officials continue to investigate an early morning porch fire. The fire was reported around 6:00 a.m. at 309 1/2 6th Avenue North. The fire caused about $15,000 in damage. The Mountain Iron and Eveleth fire departments were also dispatched.

The Bovey Fire Department has received an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) in the amount of $78,880. The award is Operations and Safety. The grant to Bovey was announced on July 25.