Knight designs new BFFD logo

BONNERS FERRY — As the fire trucks drive through the Fourth of July parade, look for the new logos on the Bonners Ferry Fire Department fire trucks.

Bonners Ferry firefighters are adding the new logo designed by Stan Knight to their equipment and gear.

“A very traditional fire department logo,” said Bonners Ferry Fire Chief Pat Warkentin.

The logo contains the department’s initials, BFFD, in an old medieval form of lettering. Most fire departments only have three letters in their initials, such as the Chicago Fire Department. The fourth letter makes it more complicated, said Knight.

“It is not something you see that often in this part of the country,” said Warkentin. “The guys like the logo. It is much appreciated.”

As a lettering artist for more than 60 years, Knight drew multiple thumbnails until the logo looked right and had the right feel.

Knight said every logo needs to be compact, distinctive and memorable and these three concepts are what he teaches his students. Knight was an college art teacher for most of his life and has taught in the United States, England and Japan. Knight moved to Bonners Ferry six years ago with his wife, Denys Knight.

Being a world-renowned calligrapher, Knight drew the logo all freehand — no ruler, no compass. The final drawing of the logo took Knight three to four hours.

“Because it is lettering, it doesn’t have to be completely legible,” said Knight.

After completion, Knight gifted the logo to the fire department for their exclusive use, a value of $8,000 to $10,000. Knight’s generosity and talent is greatly appreciated by the fire department.

Jessica Tingley at Far North Logo Shop added color to the logo and is embroidering the logo on polo shirts and caps.

Each apparatus will be outfitted with a pair of the new logo, some in addition to the current logos and some replacing the logos of the dam and the river.