Rural fire departments improve fire protection ratings and could mean savings for Smith County homeowners

Jan. 31--The improving ability of Emergency Services District No. 2 fire department to fight fires in rural areas of Smith County could save homeowners money on their insurance bills.

The state fire marshal has approved changes to the 11 volunteer fire departments' Public Protection Classifications ratings used by the Insurance Service Office to set insurance premiums with regard to fire protection.

The ISO set new fire protection ratings for rural property owners in fire department coverage areas effective Aug. 1, 2015. Many insurance companies use the ISO ratings to determine insurance premiums for homes.

The ISO uses uniform criteria to review fire suppression capabilities for communities and assign classifications ranging from 1-10. Class 1 indicates exemplary fire protection while 10 indicates the area's protection capabilities do not meet minimum standards.

Reducing ISO ratings and improving fire protection and emergency services were major selling points when residents petitioned for creation of the district and giving it taxing authority in 2007.

ESD No. 2 is made up of rural fire departments, including Arp, Bullard, Chapel Hill, Dixie, Flint-Gresham, Jackson Heights, Noonday, Red Springs, Troup, Whitehouse and Winona.

Since 2008, the district has levied more than $4 million in taxes each year based on tax rates above 8 cents. Departments purchased millions of dollars in fire equipment, from radios to fire apparatus, built new stations and substations and paid salaried firefighters to man stations during daytime hours Monday through Friday.

The 11 departments cover almost 900 square miles of mostly-rural Smith County with 33 paid firefighters and more than 300 volunteers who man 17 stations and substations.

The plan was to improve the ISO in rural areas rated by the insurance entity considered "hydranted" and "non-hydranted."

Homes within five miles of a department station and 1,000 feet from a fire hydrant are considered within a "hydranted" area. Homes not within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant but within five road miles of a station or substation are considered "non-hydranted" and would require departments to haul water to the location.

In 2011, The Texas Department of Insurance's state Fire Marshal Office reported departments experienced ISO rating reductions in hydranted areas between 2 and 6 points.

Dan Hardiman, of American National Property and Casualty Co. in Tyler, calculated homeowner premium savings for areas that dropped 3 to 4 points in 2011. He estimated residents in those areas would see approximately 15 percent reductions to their homeowner rates depending on locations and providers, he said.

Hardiman said rating changes are typically automatically added to insurers' formulas for calculating premiums and that bills should reflect changes of a few points.

"That should make a difference in their premiums," he said. "That is another example of volunteer departments making changes to make their program better."

Homeowners within the city limits of Tyler enjoy an ISO rating of 2 because of the high level of fire protection its fire department provides, he said. He said new ratings are indicative of local volunteer departments' focus to address specific needs with regard to equipment, manpower and training to reduce response times and provide better protection.

In 2013, district departments began implementing a "water shuttle" program, which utilized 3,000-gallon tanker trucks to deliver water to scenes where hydrants are not available.

ESD No. 2 District Operations Chief Terry Rozell said the district spent more than $750,000 to purchase three tanker trucks at the recommendation of a consultant who specializes in ISO protection ratings. Rozell said the purchases and moving another tanker from one department to another gave all departments water shuttle capability.

Departments conducted several drills over the next few years to improve their responses and ability to continuously resupply fire engines with water, Rozell said.

The drills occurred around the county and included district departments and departments from other counties in some cases. A 3,000-4,000 gallon portable water tank would be dropped at the scene when fire trucks first responded. A fire engine would pump water and tanker trucks would resupply the tank to allow firefighters to maintain a stream of around 800 gallons of water per minute.

Rozell said the training has improved response times and, along with additional equipment, department's effectiveness at fire scenes.

But water is essential to fighting fires.

"That's a huge advancement in the way we fight fires," Rozell said.

Whitehouse Volunteer Fire Department Chief John Hargis said having water on at a rural fire wasn't a guarantee six years ago. There were times firefighters would run out of water and have to wait for resupply.

Hargis said there's security in knowing departments are equipped and trained to maintain a steady flow of water at any location or situation they may respond to. Knowing departments won't run out of water at a fire scene improves firefighter safety and the likelihood structures can be saved or damage can be contained.

"Now we've got good water supply wherever we go," Hargis said. "It's like we're carrying the fire hydrant with us."

The improvement will mean savings for some homeowners.

The ISO rating improvements for non-hydranted areas ranged from 2-5 points. Areas outside five road-miles from a station will still be considered a 10 by ISO.

ESD No. 2 Board President Randy Melton said he's pleased with the numbers. He said it reflects a high level of cooperation and professionalism among the 11 departments.

Melton acknowledged some residents resent the district tax and wish volunteer departments would be relegated to raising money with chili cook-offs and standing at intersections with boots asking for donations. But he said he believes most rural residents wanted progress and feel there has been positive change.

"I think it shows there are dedicated individuals in the departments and the district and that we've raised the standards to modern fire services statewide," he said. "There's conformity and efficiency and it shows that working together pays. I think taxpayers will see the benefits of that."

Box:

2009 Rating2015 Rating

Arp VFD 96

Bullard VFD 95

Chapel Hill VFD97

Dixie VFD95

Flint-Gresham VFD95

Jackson Heights VFD105

Noonday VFD94

Red Springs VFD105

Troup VFD96

Whitehouse VFD94

Winona VFD94

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