Hiwassee Dam – With hard work, dedicated members and lots of training, the volunteer Hiwassee Dam Fire Department run by Chief Chad McNabb has lowered its ISO rating from a 5/9 to a 4/9.
This rating, which is given to fire departments by the Insurance Services Office, is based on several different factors. A department’s goal is to achieve a lower ISO rating in order to keep businesses and homeowner’s insurance premiums lower.
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The factors that determine the rating include the county’s 911 center, which is scored from 0-10; water supply, which is given anywhere from 0 to 40 points; and the fire department itself, which is given up to 50 points.
The Cherokee County 911 Center scored about a 9.7 out of 10, McNabb said. The Hiwassee Dam Fire Department scored a 30 on the water side, to which he added, “That’s amazing considering we have no hydrants here.”
Hiwassee Dam also has assistance from automatic aid and departments with big water tankers. The fire side of the department also scored well due to the volunteers and their dedication to training, as well as their equipment.
Anyone living within 5 miles of the Hiwassee Dam Fire Department has an insurance rating of 4. Those living 5-6 miles away from a station have a rating of 9, while folks living more than 6 miles away are rated a 10.
Homeowners rated a 10 are considered uninsurable, McNabb said. If they are even able to find insurance, it will come with a much higher premium.
Residents can only receive insurance savings down to a class 6, he added. Savings below that are for commercial properties.
Volunteers are a key part of what helps keep insurance rates lower. If there are not enough people willing to give some of their time to a department, they may be forced into hiring paid personnel, which is far more expensive, costing local taxpayers more.
Departments are having great difficulty finding folks to volunteer nowadays. Some reasons people give for not volunteering include not having enough time, not wanting to go into fires, physical limitations and age.
Volunteer fire departments offer many options for individuals wanting to help, including traffic control, operating a truck, administrative work, filling air bottles for firefighters and other support positions.
In 10 years, McNabb would like to build a couple more stations. However, his concern is not having personnel available to go to the station and pick up one of the trucks.
Details: Email Hiwassee Dam Fire Chief Chad McNabb at paramedicrn121@yahoo.com.
