Fire Department Raises Rating 7/14/2009

The Holly Springs Fire Department has improved its rating from Class 6 to Class 4, enabling commercial properties without sprinkler systems to save on fire insurance premiums.

The State Fire Marshal's Office in the N.C. Department of Insurance granted the improved rating a year after beginning its evaluation.

"We're excited," Holly Springs Fire Chief Cecil Parker said Monday. "The results of the re-rating far exceeded our expectations."

The department's new, improved rating is not expected to reduce premiums for residential properties or for commercial properties with sprinkler systems. Those already receive the maximum discounts that fire department ratings provide.

The insurance rating boost comes at an opportune time with Holly Springs experiencing a spate of commercial development along the N.C. 55 corridor and elsewhere. Businesses without sprinkler systems will benefit.

"Now that the town is growing and has started getting more commercial, it's important to try to help these businesses realize savings," Parker said. "Times are tough. Every dollar counts."

The State Fire Marshal's Office evaluated the Holly Springs Fire Department using guidelines developed by the Insurance Services Office Inc., an independent rating organization funded by insurance companies.

The state's evaluation covered such things as personnel, training, equipment and the water distribution system.

Parker credited the Town Council and Town Manager Carl Dean with providing the department with the needed resources.

"Without the dedicated staff we have," Parker added, "we wouldn't be where we are today."

Fire department rating evaluations are slated to occur every five years.

Parker said the department hopes to lower its rating to a Class 3 eventually. However, going even further to a Class 2 or Class 1 rating could be extremely expensive in personnel, equipment and stations.

"We are trying to get the absolute lowest rating we can for absolutely the lowest amount for the taxpayer," Parker said.

Holly Springs has 33 full-time firefighters. It's third station opened last fall on Friendship Road. The Fire Department answered approximately 3,000 fire and rescue calls in 2008, Parker said.

The department is relatively young, having become a Town government operation only in 1995, when the town had about 3,000 residents. Today, Holly Springs' population is approximately 21,500.

The Holly Springs Fire Department offers free in-home safety inspections to Holly Springs residents. Firefighters also provide station tours as well as safety presentations to school and community organizations.

To arrange a home safety inspection, tour or presentation, call (919) 567-4733.

Home page

Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us