The Vance County Public Safety Committee met Monday to continue discussing the possible reorganization of the county’s fire department structure. Although no final decisions have been made yet, County Manager Jordan McMillen said there seems to be some progress toward a satisfactory resolution.
This issue – to create a fire department structure to provide as close to 24-hour protection as possible – has been the topic of conversation for the past several years, and McMillen said Tuesday that there is hope for reaching that goal.
The board renewed its desire to bring the issue to a close at its recent planning retreat in February. The volunteer fire departments have been able to lower their Insurance Services Office (ISO) ratings as a result of receiving additional funds from the county, which were used to hire at least part-time paid staff.
“Some good things” have come about as a result of the continuing talks at the county level, and despite some disagreement, “at the end of the day, we’re making some improvements,” McMillen said.
The volunteer fire departments have been able to lower their ISO scores, which operate on a scale of 1 to 10 and indicate how well the community is protected by the fire department. The lower the score, the better protected the community. The volunteer departments have scores of 5 or 6, some down from as high as 9. ISO ratings affect fire insurance rates.
McMillen said the board would hear the update from the public safety committee at its next meeting, and would be considering several key issues: 1)how to handle rescue services – continue with contract services or pull the service in-house; 2)determine whether there is interest in dispersing the county’s fire department; and 3)determine whether to look at revisiting fire district lines which could reduce response times.
The rescue services contract should be able to be decided before the end of fiscal year 2021, but the discussion of the other two components probably will take longer to decide.
McMillen said the committee members stressed that the most important thing is to provide the best fire service possible. “We’re on the right path,” he said.
McMillen said … (Click Here for sound or on the Image Below)
