Sheriff's Office • 100 North Fifth Avenue West • Duluth, MN 55802 Phone: (218) 726-2340 • www.stlouiscountymn.gov
Ross Litman Sheriff
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 22, 2016
Media Contact: Rick Slatten (218) 349-4116
North St. Louis County Rescue Squad building to be dedicated
The St. Louis County Sheriff's Volunteer Rescue Squad at last has dedicated space of its own in the northern part of the county. On Monday, July 25, at 1:30 p.m., members of the Rescue Squad and Sheriff's Office will join County leaders and State Senator Tom Bakk in a ribbon cutting at the facility at 7827 Highway 135 in Virginia.
The new North Rescue Squad building was once a County Public Works building, but has been renovated thanks to $700,000 in state bonding money approved by the legislature in 2014, along with matching support from the County. The new space gives Rescue Squad volunteers a place to meet and train, and provides critically needed storage space for vehicles and equipment. Previously, many of the vehicles had to be stored outside or at members' homes.
"Having this new space means Rescue Squad volunteers can get the gear they need and respond to emergencies faster," said Sheriff Ross Litman. "They can have confidence that vehicles will start, even when the temperature is 20 below, and we can expect our equipment to last longer. So we're very thankful to our partners in St. Paul and our County Board for their support."
Rescue Squad volunteers donated 21,235 hours of their time in 2015, responding to 323 calls. These included 96 wilderness searches and rescues, 68 water operations, assistance at 119 vehicle accidents, plus miscellaneous medical and other calls.
The Volunteer Rescue Squad first formed in 1959. It expanded in 1970 to include an Iron Range detachment. The newly formed North Rescue Squad consisted of 15 charter members, including Melvin Bakk, father of the state senator.
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The new North Rescue Squad facility in Virginia consists of two buildings, providing space for training, meetings and storage of vehicles and equipment.
Directions for media: from U.S. Highway 53, travel east on Highway 135. Turn left into the Public Works campus and follow the driveway to the left to the North Rescue Squad facility.
