Volunteers’ dedication could lead to better insurance rates
Some property owners could see a decrease in their fire insurance premiums as the East Neshoba Volunteer Fire Protection District improved its rating from a Class 9 to a Class 8.
Among the county’s 12 fire protection districts, East Neshoba has joined Arlington, County Line, Dixon, Fairview, House, Hope, Linwood, North Bend, and Tucker which are all Class 8. Longino is Class 9 and Stallo is Class 10.
Fire protection insurance classification ratings range from Class 1 to Class 10, with 1 being the best that a fire department can receive. Philadelphia is a Class 5.
“I would suggest homeowners in the district contact their insurance company and let them know that East Neshoba’s class rating has changed and see if that would help bring a change to their premiums,” said Neshoba County Fire Coordinator Darrell Wilson.
Fire insurance is based partly on the fire rating of the fire department serving a particular area. So, when a department gets a better rating, it benefits not only the department but everyone who lives in the fire district
“I was shocked when I heard we moved from a 9 to an 8. Everybody I’ve talked to from the Board members all the way down to the firefighters are ecstatic about the rating change. I think it’s a major accomplishment,” said East Neshoba Fire Chief Steve Johnson.
The upgrade was a result of the Mississippi State Rating Bureau’s recent inspection of the East Neshoba district’s fire prevention efforts and fire protection facilities and records in July.
The Rating Bureau inspected the age and maintenance records of the fire trucks, maintenance records on the air packs, training records, hose testing records, and more.
The 16 fire hydrants in the district and access to the hydrants to prevent excessive water shuttling played a vital role in determining East Neshoba’s new fire protection rating as well, officials said.
“The department as a whole is working hard,” Wilson said. “They have done what the Rating Bureau required to move to a Class 8, and I believe they will continue to work hard for the department and the people in their community.
“Without the volunteers, you don’t have a department. I am thankful for each and every one of the volunteers that we have.”
By comparison, Meridian is a Class 4, Jackson a Class 3, Ridgeland a Class 5, Madison a Class 6, Natchez a Class 5, and Biloxi a Class 3.