Richmond nearing improved fire insurance classification

Local News

Related Photos

Richmond firefighter Terry Murphy, left, takes measurements earlier this month while working on a pre-plan at Jameson Inn with Fire Chief Gerald Tatum. Nancy Taggart

August 30, 2010

By Bill Robinson Senior News Writer The Richmond Register Mon Aug 30, 2010, 12:03 PM EDT

RICHMOND — The Insurance Services Office (ISO), which rates firefighting organizations, recently audited the Richmond Fire Department for the first time in 13 years and came close to moving the city’s Public Protection Classification from a 3 to a 2.

“We had been a low 3, and moved up to a high 3,” Fire Chief Gerald told the city commission last Tuesday. “We missed a 2 classification by only 2.2 points.

There are 10 Public Protection Classifications with 10 points each, making 100 a perfect score. Fire insurance costs for both homes and businesses are calculated in large part on the rating of the fire departments that serve them.

Previously, Richmond’s score was 71, but the city scored 77.8 on the recent audit, Tatum said.

The ISO has assured the city it will audit the fire department every five years in the future, but the chief said he plans to have the auditors back before then.

“We’re so close, I think we can achieve a 2 classification in 18 to 24 months,” Tatum said. “We can request a new audit in as soon as 12 months.”

An improved classification has been a goal of Tatum’s since he was named fire chief more than five years ago.

“I’m the kind of person who likes to always be progressing,” he said.

While internal issues such as training, documentation and pro-active fire prevention are big factors in classification, fire departments cannot improve classification on their own, the chief said.

Only half of a classification is based on a fire department’s internal structure. Water supply is 40 percent, with dispatching making up the other 10 percent.

The recent consolidation of the city’s emergency dispatch service with the county and Berea makes more lines and personnel available to take calls. Also, upgrades of Richmond Utilities’ capacity to draw and pump water from the Kentucky River in the past two years helped the city improve its public protection score, Tatum said.

Water storage capacity also is a factor.

Construction of a fire station in the industrial park off Duncannon Lane and a new fire station on the Robert R. Martin also were necessary to boost the score.

Those external improvements would not have been possible without action by both the city commission and the utilities board, Tatum said.

The ISO standards require a fire station within 2.5 miles of every home or business, with a minimum of three minutes between the time a call comes in and when properly equipped firefighters arrive on the scene.

The city commission’s support also is needed to purchase and maintain proper equipment, including two aerial firefighting trucks, including one tower truck and one ladder truck.

An adequate training center also figures into a classification, and Richmond firefighters constantly are training and reviewing plans, Tatum said. Firefighters also keep their certifications up to date.

The department’s fire marshals routinely visit businesses to survey buildings and upgrade firefighting plans, the chief said.

If RFD responds to a fire at business, department officers can be reviewing response plans on a fire truck’s computer as they travel to the scene, the chief said. Because they routinely review plans and make on-site visits, both officers and firefighters should already be familiar with the structure in question with the computer serving only as a last-minute refresher.

One area in which the fire department has retrogressed in recent months is staffing.

Although the city’s 76 certified firefighters are enough to maintain the current rating, the department has lost five firefighters through attrition since the city’s financial straits forced a staff reduction.

However, Tatum, who is both energetic and optimistic, said he has every confidence that within 24 months, Richmond will have a Public Protection Classification of 2. Then both businesses and homes will begin paying lower fire insurance premiums.

Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@

richmondregister.com

or at 624-6622.

Text Only

Local News

Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.

About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.

February 6, 2012
Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.

Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.

February 6, 2012
Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)

A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.

February 6, 2012
Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.”

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org.

February 6, 2012 2 Photos
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus.

February 6, 2012
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200.

February 6, 2012
Tea party setting sights on state legislature
Nearly a dozen tea party candidates, including one of Kentucky's most recognizable fiscal conservatives, have set their sights on state legislative seats up for election this year.
Louisville businessman Phil Moffett, who finished second in the GOP's three-way gubernatorial primary last year, delivered candidacy papers last week to run for a House seat, hoping to bolster the tea party's foothold in the state Capitol.
Such a move has been slower in coming to Kentucky than other states.

February 6, 2012
Trial date set in murder case
The attorney for a Berea man accused of murder has had his client evaluated by an “expert” witness, he said Thursday in Madison Circuit Court.
A report of the evaluation of Mitchell Ray Turner, 34, has been shared with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, attorney Brian Barker said during a pretrial conference in the case.
“The commonwealth would like more information before they decide if they want to do their own evaluation,” Barker told Judge Jean Chenault Logue.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
State financial actions putting strain on MEPCO
State government’s efforts to cut its spending and shift more of its financial burden to local governments, school boards and public agencies is beginning to take its toll on MEPCO, the home health organization run by the Madison County Board of Health.
Last week, MEPCO, which serves residents of Madison, Estill and Powell counties, reported a $455,500 deficit at the midpoint of its fiscal year.
The deficit was recorded even after MEPCO has cut expenses by about $383,000.

February 6, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Related Photos

Richmond nearing improved fire insurance classification

Have you ever attended a meeting of a local government agency or taxing district?

Site Map