Sue Kiesewetter reports:
Liberty Township’s fire rating has been upgraded by two categories by the Insurance Services Office.
Effective Oct. 1 the township will be rated at a fire protection class 4, up from the class 6 rating it now holds. The ratings are oftentimes a factor in the premium structure of many insurance providers.
“It’s good news,’’ said Chief Paul Stumpf. “It’s very rare to drop. Our goal is a class 1 but there are none in Ohio, Kentucky or Indiana – there are only 61 class 1 departments in the United States.”
The township was last evaluated for a rating in 2001, the chief said. Factors contributing to the improved rating since the last evaluation include:
- The addition of the third station and third frontline engine
- Acquiring a ladder truck and reserve engine
- Putting thermal imaging cameras and Hurst combination jaws of life/cutters on all frontline engines
- Transitioning to around the clock staffing at all three stations
- Additional training hours including using the fire training tower at Butler Tech’s Public Safety Education Complex
“We should be proud of this two class jump as it’s an indication that we have grown the department responsibly and effectively and have made sensible investments in our personnel as well as in our equipment,” Stumpf said.
“It’s nice to have these things validated by ISO, a very credible source, and it should make the residents of Liberty Township feel good about the fire protection services available in our community.”
The department has 98 career and part-time firefighters that provide service to the 28-square mile township.
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