Summerdale Volunteer Fire Department focused on maintaining ISO rating

By Jessica Vaughn
Posted 5/18/20

SUMMERDALE - Citizens are affected by ISO ratings more than they may realize. An ISO Fire Rating determines how prepared a department is to handle emergency situations in their community, from number …

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Summerdale Volunteer Fire Department focused on maintaining ISO rating

Posted

SUMMERDALE - Citizens are affected by ISO ratings more than they may realize. An ISO Fire Rating determines how prepared a department is to handle emergency situations in their community, from number of fire hydrants available to proper organization of department documents. Ratings are given by a ten to one score, with one being the absolute best. With a better rating comes lower insurance rates for citizens, as many insurers provide discounts for people living in a community with a low ISO rating.

Last summer the Summerdale Volunteer Fire Department went through a complete personnel change, and the town was granted an extension on their ISO check to get the new volunteers initiated. Summerdale’s current ISO rating is five, and during summer a full assessment will be conducted to determine whether the rating will change. The ISO officer is scheduled to be at the Summerdale Volunteer Fire Department on June 1 to conduct the inspection.

The new department is looking to maintain their current rating, but only for now. With the department frequently growing, they look to lowering the score further in the future.

“We just want to thank the department and everything that they do,” said Mayor David Wilson. “With a new set of people there, they’ve had to learn how to file the documentation for this, and they’re doing an excellent job. And we’d like to thank Lee Irwin [Public Works Director]; ISO is not just the fire department, it also has to do with water to put out the fires, and Lee and his department got a very good rating, the best you can get on the flow and location of hydrants and water pressure, so we’re very pleased. I think that working together with the council and the fire department, it can only get better.”

Another initiative of the fire department is to grow the number of volunteers. One of the larger issues the department is facing is finding volunteers to respond during daytime hours. Every volunteer has a daytime job, restricting their ability to respond to calls. The town has agreements with Robertsdale and Foley Fire Departments to work together during emergencies, but is looking for anyone who would be willing to volunteer their time, especially during daylight hours.

“It’s tough to have people respond during the daytime during working hours,” said Wilson. “I had this idea about speaking with the employers of our volunteers to see if they will let them go if a fire call comes through, because those radios can go off at any time.”

Police Chief Kevin Brock has spoken with a few of the volunteers’ employers about the matter, and so far has met positive feedback from many who would be more than willing to let the volunteers respond to fire calls. Wilson suggested the town would compensate the firefighters who leave work to assist in a situation, and some employers have stated they would let the volunteers respond on the clock.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the Summerdale Fire Department can contact them at 251-989-6723 or smdstation40@summerdaleal.com.