By DAVID LISENBY
david@silsbeebee.com

Lumberton Fire and EMS is turning some heads in the firefighting world with a recent accomplishment that will affect everyone they serve in Emergency Services District Two. It has been announced that the district has attained an ISO rating of 4, which should cause a significant decrease in insurance premiums for homeowners in and around Lumberton.

Inspectors from Insurance Services Office, Inc. visited Lumberton Fire and EMS on Dec. 8, 2009., the same day that an arson fire damaged Fletcher Emmanuel Church Alive. The purpose of their visit was to gather information needed to determine a public protection classification to be sued to develop property insurance premium calculations.

The results of the survey were received by the department, who presented them to the ESD, LMUD and city and county leaders.

The survey was broken down into three sections, receiving and handling fire alarms, fire department and water supply.

“We have changed significantly the ability to suppress fires, to prevent fires, to deliver the needed water and to receive and handle calls,” said Fire Marshal Jim Philp. “All of this has come about because of the relation we share with the city, the police chief, the city manager, LMUD and the Sheriff’s Office. We are very proud of that.”

Philp explained that the hew ISO rating is going to be a tremendous savings for the taxpayers and the residents of the Lumberton area. “This should, in many cases, show a reduction in insurance premiums,” he said. “Not every insurance company uses the ISO ratings, but the majority of them do.”

Andy Kelley, Allstate agent in Lumberton, said that attaining the lower rating will be good for the residents inside and outside the city limits. “Everybody in ESD 2 will see a change in their premiums,” he said. “This is money that will be put back into people‘s pocket. They have the ability to make the call on their insurance policies. They could use the money that they are saving toward more groceries for the household or they could increase their policy for contents of their home or additional dwelling coverage. They can even lower their deductible to get them in a better position where, in the event of a fire or other catastrophe, have more coverage on their home.”

“Quiet honestly, with that big of a change in the ISO rating, homeowners could increase their coverage, reduce their deductible and still see some savings in their pocket as well,” he continued. “It’s a blessing.”

Philp explained that the dramatic change in the district’s ISO rating took a lot of hard work and cooperation from all of the governing entities in the district. But, he said, there is more work to be done.

A 19,000 square foot structure was recently purchased by ESD 2 to serve as a new fire station. It is located at 580 N. LHS Dr. in Lumberton. The station will be designated Station 3.

“Due to the fact that it is old construction there are a number of things that we have to do to make it safe,” explained Fire Chief Dennis Gifford. “Some of those things include installing exit signs and another door that will make it where occupants don’t have to travel more than 75 feet to exit in case of an emergency. We have fire extinguishers and signs ready to go. We should be able to access the building and use it for storage of items that are currently sitting outside within a week or so, depending on the installation of that door and other items. We will be able to enter routinely at that time. When our new tanker arrives we should be able to have a fire truck in there as late as February, 2011.”

The department has also recently purchased a new tanker truck that will provide the department with the ability to transfer large quantities of water to a fire scene. The new tanker is scheduled to arrive early next year.

“Adding Station 3 and the new tanker truck, along with the fact that Station 3 is well positioned to provide some training facilities, we believe will provide us with the to gain an ISO rating of 2,” he predicted. “That is a very significant reduction. It is already a significant reduction from 7/9 to a 4/8b simply because most people will tell you that it is impossible for a city or a jurisdiction to go more or at three points or better on their grading. We did that.”

For comparison, Port Arthur has an ISO rating of 3. Beaumont has a rating of 4. Silsbee scores a 5. Kountze is currently a 6. Austin is the only city in the state if Texas with an ISO rating of 2.