Our Story

Why the Fire Brigade was formed...

Lake Vermilion has 1200 miles of shoreline, and is naturally divided east and west at Oak Narrows. Over the years its shores have been the sites of several fire and rescue emergencies. Previously, those incidents were reported through 911 with local fire agencies responding. Cook is the closest town on the west end of the lake, with a volunteer fire department (VFD) that must travel 10-30 miles by road to get to the emergency. Many areas are water access only which had required the VFD to ask to borrow boats to travel to the emergency.

How the Fire Brigade was formed...

During the fall of 2008 a group of residents met to discuss the forming of an organization which could raise funds to purchase a fire boat for the west end of the lake. They met with several agencies including the D.N.R., U.S. Forest Service, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, Cook VFD, Cook EMS Services and the Lake Vermilion Resort Association.  All of these agencies were eager to support the creation of a Fire & Rescue boat operation on the west end of Lake Vermilion. Additional residents began supporting the organization and thus, the “Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade” was created.

What has happened so far...

On January 9, 2009 the Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade was officially incorporated as a Minnesota Non-Profit Corporation.  Managed and operated by volunteers, the Board of Directors is made up of concerned citizens. The Brigade works with an Advisory Board of the agencies listed above, so as to have access to professional council and advice.  Fund raising began, and enough money was raised to purchase a custom made, fully equipped 32’ Fire & Rescue watercraft. A second 26’ boat has been donated, which is used to carry additional personnel and equipment to emergency incidents. Twenty one volunteers who are trained as boat and equipment operators are manning the fireboats.  Both of the boats are now available and on call 24/7 on the west end of the lake, to help support all local, county and state Fire & Rescue agencies