HFD Undergoes ISO Review

By Sam Poe
Friday, July 11, 2014 | 5:07 AM
https://hbtv.us/news/?story_id=2202

Next week, the Insurance Services Offices will evaluate the Haleyville Fire Department in order to assess the department's services to the community. ISO ratings affect all property owners in Haleyville, as they determine, in part, insurance rates according to the fire prevention and fire suppression capabilities of the department.

There are many items the ISO will evaluate within the department including training records of the firemen, equipment available, response times to fires, and the dispatch system. However, one of the main components of the evaluation, accounting for 50% of the rating, is the community's water supply. This survey focuses on whether or not the community has sufficient water supply for fire suppression beyond daily maximum consumption. In order to determine this, the committee will count the number of hydrants that are no more than 1,000 feet from the representative location, review fire hydrant inspections, and review the frequency of flow testing from the hydrants.

And finally, the committee recognizes communities that strive to reduce fire severity through structured programs of fire prevention. They will evaluate fire prevention activities, fire safety education, and fire investigation in the community. This evaluation process will begin Tuesday, July 15 for the City of Haleyville.