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The action, which Thomas County commissioners unanimously approved, allows for a different level of fire protection in fire districts 1 and 2 and puts fire district 3 in a separate category.
Three engine companies are dedicated to districts 1 and 2. Three engine companies also cover fire district 3, but respond to a much large area there, said Mike Stephenson, county manager.
"There's a water system in parts of fire districts 1 and 2," Stephenson added.
The county fire department has been preparing for the ISO inspection for about 18 months.
Property owners in fire districts 1 and 2 pay an additional tax for the fire protection.
The primary purpose of the designation is to demonstrate to ISO a higher level of fire protection in fire districts 1 and 2.
The same personnel and equipment will continue to serve the county fire department.
"Everyone will receive the same service as in the past," Stephenson explained.
A date for the ISO evaluation of protection in fire districts 1 and 2 has not been set.
"We've been trying to get it scheduled all year," the county manager said.
The county's six smaller municipalities are evaluated separately.
"All the small towns are in fire district 3," Stephenson said.
Commission action assures ISO of a higher level of service in fire districts 1 and 2.
"This is the final step in a long process," the county manager explained.
Chris Jones, county fire chief, told commissioners this week that ISO wants to grade all rural fire departments as one.
Commission Chairman Josh Herring said he saw no reason to make the change. Commissioner Claud Davis agreed.
Stephenson told commissioners that if they did not OK the change, residents of fire districts 1 and 2 would not be able to keep their present ISO ratings, resulting in higher fire insurance premiums.
The unanimous vote for the change followed quickly.
Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached a (229) 226-2400, ext. 220.
To see more of the Thomasville Times-Enterprise or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.timesenterprise.com/. Copyright (c) 2008, Thomasville Times-Enterprise, Ga. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
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