Blue Springs’ ISO rating drops
Hard work and dedication by the members of one local volunteer fire department will save community residents hundreds of dollars on their homeowners insurance each year.
The Insurance Service Office (ISO) has a Public Protection Classification (PPC) system that rates fire department on a scale of one to 10, with one being the most prepared and efficient and 10 being the least. The lower the rating, the better community insurance rates will be.
As of February 1, the Blue Springs Volunteer Fire Department’s ISO rating went from a nine to a five, which means the department has met several qualifications that make them better prepared to fight fires in the community.
“Lowering our rating is something that has taken years of hard work, training, equipment and dedication,” Blue Springs Fire Chief Mary Hallman said. “It’s not something that just happened overnight.
“We have the same standards to meet as full-time fire departments do, and being a volunteer organization makes it harder for our members to get the kind of training and equipment it takes to get these low ratings,” she added. “It’s a very big accomplishment.”
Hallman, who has been the fire chief for over 10 years, said the Blue Springs VFD has had an ISO rating of nine since the department was first established 31 years ago, and it’s something she’s wanted to change for some time now.
“We needed to have a new fire truck and other equipment in order to have our rating lowered, and we started years ago trying to get money by filling out grant paperwork,” Hallman said.
“Finally, Steve Thornton from the Russellville Fire Department helped us get three grants through FEMA’s Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program and we were able to purchase the equipment we needed to lower our rating.”
The three grants totaled over $220,00 and helped the department purchase a new fire truck, which they’ve never had before, equipment for the truck, personal protective gear, and self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs).
“These grants have helped us so much, but it wasn’t just free money,” Hallman said. “We had to match the funds so we’ve been doing fundraisers and working hard to raise that money.”
Hallman said the work their department has done has all been part of their service to the community.
Lowering their rating will save community homeowners who have qualifying insurance around $300- $600 per year, Hallman said.
“This fire department is essential because it is the only fire protection this community has,” she said. “We have saved structures, saved lives, and saved things that you can’t put a price on.
“In addition to providing fire protection, we’re now helping lower homeowner insurance rates for those who qualify, and it’s all because of the group effort we’ve put behind this project.”
To continue with their fundraising efforts, Modern Woodmen of America Chapter 16037 in Phil Campbell is sponsoring a matching fund to benefit the Blue Springs Volunteer Fire Department.
They will match funds up to $2,500 from the Chicken Stew, Bingo and Raffle event to be held on Saturday, Feb. 19, from 10:30 a.m. until at the Blue Springs Fire Department, 3001 Highway 75, Phil Campbell.
Stew will be $18 per gallon, $9 per half gallon, $4.50 per quart and $5 for a bowl of stew, a drink and a piece of cake.
There will also be a raffle for a chance to win an Auburn football signed by coach Gene Chizik. Chances are $3 each or two for $5.
