Virginia FD Auxiliary Launches Mapping Project
September 22, 2008 — The Auxiliary of the Virginia Fire Department, IAFF Local 390, is undertaking an extensive map book project which will aid public safety organizations throughout northern St. Louis County. According to Virginia Fire Chief Darrell Knapper, the project will include all road names and range numbers, along with walking, bike, ATV and snowmobile trails. The locations of firehalls, dry hydrants and static tanks and access points to lakes and rivers will also be listed. "This will be a great resource for all emergency responders," said Knapper. "We are currently compiling information to put these map books together and we need everyone's help in supplying us with information. We need this to be as comprehensive as possible."
According to Knapper, "the cost of the project is $10,000. The auxiliary will sell the water resistant books at $40 each and the proceeds will be used to cover the publishing costs." Any additional revenues will be used to support the auxiliary's fire prevention activities, which includes its smoke detector give away program. "Public safety organizations will be given first priority in purchasing the books and then the general public," he added. "We are encouraging organizations to order now so we can pay the publisher as soon as possible."
Again, Knapper stresses that the auxiliary is seeking information from public safety organization in the northern half of the county. "This information is critical to our efforts," he said. Chief Knapper can be reached at:
Virginia Fire Department
115 4th Avenue North
Virginia, MN 55792
(218) 748-7520 Fire Hall
(218) 929-2423 Cell
knapperd@virginiamn.us
Editor's Note: This is a fantastic project that deserves the support of the area's public safety groups. If you have information to provide, please contact Chief Knapper as soon as possible. Congratulations to the Virginia Fire Department Auxiliary for its hard work and dedication to this very worthwhile project.