MEMORIAL HELIPAD COMPLETED AT PRAIRIE HILL-ROCKY HILL VFD

Josh Blaschke January 2, 2021

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(courtesy Prairie Hill-Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Dept.)

After receiving thousands of dollars in memorial donations, the Prairie Hill-Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department has added a new helipad to its fire station.

The helipad allows for the Washington County Air Med helicopter to safely land and quickly respond to emergency calls in the area.

Deputy Chief Doug Zwiener said the project started after a request from the family of longtime firefighter and Assistant Chief Bill Winkelmann, who died in June.

The memorial helipad also honors a founding member of the Prairie Hill-Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department, Franklin Haarmeyer, who died in September.

Zwiener said the project cost about $15,000 total, and was funded completely by donations from community members, not tax dollars.

Zwiener said the helipad allows the department to greater meet the needs of citizens.

The helicopter made its first landing at the new helipad on November 20^th. Following the addition of lighting and wind socks, the helipad was completely finished on December 9^th.