Richmond sees fire rating improvement

Nov. 08--TUPELO -- The Richmond Volunteer Fire Department has improved its fire rating, which should save homeowners in the area some money.

Chief Joe Banik, who has led the Richmond department 37 years now, said that as of last month, an inspection by the state's fire rating bureau has awarded his department's district a rating of class seven.

"Seven is almost impossible for a small department to get," Banik said.

Insurance companies use fire ratings to assess the risk of fire damage to homes and buildings within a certain geographical area.

The rating range from a class one, the highest possible rating, to a class 10 rating, the worst. A class 10 rating indicates that a fire district fails to meet minimum standards.

Richmond's rating has improved to a seven from an eight.

Since insurance companies use fire rating data when calculating premiums, this improvement should lead to a cost savings.

Richmond last saw a rating improvement in 2011, when the department moved from a class nine to a class eight.

There are now two volunteer fire departments in Lee County with a class seven rating, Richmond and Mooreville, said Lee County Fire Coordinator Marc Flanagan.

Those two departments now share the best rating among the county's volunteer fire departments.

Flanagan praised Richmond for its efforts.

"Class seven at the volunteer level is phenomenal for a community the size of Richmond," Flanagan said. "It's possible, but it takes a lot of work."

Flanagan said the departments keeps excellent training and maintenance records.

Response times, water supply, training and the number of firefighters are among the factors considered by the rating bureau.

caleb.bedillion@journalinc.com

Twitter: @CalebBedillion

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