UPSTATE (S.C.) FIRE DEPARTMENT JOINS RANKS OF NATION’S ELITE

BOILING SPRINGS FIRE DISTRICT’S ISO CLASS 1 RATING PLACES IT IN AMERICA’S TOP 50

(November 29, 2004 / Greenville, SC) The Boiling Springs Fire District today announced that it is now among the nation’s top fire departments according to the Insurance Services Office (ISO®). ISO, the New Jersey-based organization that collects municipal fire-protection information in communities throughout the United States, helps establish appropriate fire insurance premiums for residential and commercial properties and awarded the Boiling Springs Fire District its highest ranking.

Using a scale of 1 (representing exemplary public protection) to 10 (indicating that the area's fire-suppression program does not meet ISO's minimum criteria), ISO awarded the Boiling Springs Fire District a Class 1 rating.

Among ISO’s extensive database of approximately 44,000 fire jurisdictions nationwide, Boiling Springs Fire District is now one of only forty-nine Class 1 departments in the country and three in South Carolina (joining the Myrtle Beach and the Charleston Fire Departments).

Gerald Luker, chief of Boiling Springs Fire Department said, "I am extremely proud of everyone in our organization. It takes a total team effort to earn a Class 1 rating, and we worked for a number of years to achieve this for the people we serve and protect.”

Considering items such as station locations, hydrant amounts and types, training, equipment, and pre-fire plans, ISO examines numerous criteria to determine each department’s rating.

According to public information posted on ISO’s web site, “By classifying communities' ability to suppress fires, ISO helps the communities evaluate their public fire-protection services. The program provides an objective, countrywide standard that helps fire departments in planning and budgeting for facilities, equipment, and training. And by securing lower fire insurance premiums for communities with better public protection, the PPC™ program provides incentives and rewards for communities that choose to improve their firefighting services.”

Cliatt Alewine, chairman of the Boiling Springs Fire District said, “Special Purpose Districts like Boiling Springs are the most local forms of government, and district commissioners understand what’s happening in local homes and businesses because these are the people we work with every day. With increasing property values throughout our district, it is important for us to help district residents as much as we can. That includes providing superior service while keeping down taxes.”

“We’ve added stations, equipment, and personnel – all while decreasing millage rates over the past twenty-four years. We’re proud to serve our county residents and want them to know that we are stewards of their trust,” he added.

Alewine also pointed to the district’s millage reduction from 30 mils in 1980 to 21.2 mils following Greenville County’s last property reassessment.

ABOUT THE INSURANCE SERVICES OFFICE
The Insurance Services Office [link] is based in Marlton, New Jersey and collects information for the insurance industry to help establish appropriate fire insurance premiums for residential and commercial properties as they relate to a community's fire-protection services. ISO provides that information through the Public Protection Classification (PPC™) program.

ABOUT THE BOILING SPRINGS FIRE DISTRICT
Established in 1968 and located on Greenville County’s Eastside, the Boiling Springs Fire district covers 15 square miles and serves over 26,000 residents. Governed by five commissioners recommended by county council and appointed by the governor, the Boiling Springs Fire District is a special purpose district responsible for addressing specific concerns and local issues among commercial and residential interests through 38 paid personnel and 20 volunteers operating out of 3 fire stations. The district’s equipment battery includes 8 fire engines, an aerial ladder truck, and a rescue vehicle. The Boiling Springs Fire District is South Carolina’s only ISO Class 1 fire department with a combination of paid and volunteer fire fighters.

To make inquiries regarding this release, please contact Taft Matney by phone (864/505-8866), by fax (864/297-3871), or by e-mail (taft@taftmatney.com).

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